Electromagnetic Waves

Front

Amplitude Noun

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[am-pli-tood]

Back

Amplitude

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A measure of a wave's maximum displacement from its equilibrium position, which is directly related to the wave's energy.

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Example: This diagram shows amplitude as the maximum height of the wave from its center resting position to its highest point, the crest.

Front

Frequency Noun

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[free-kwen-see]

Back

Frequency

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The number of complete wave cycles or crests that pass a specific point in a given amount of time.

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Example: This diagram shows how waves can have different frequencies; gamma rays have a high frequency (many waves packed together) while radio waves have a low frequency.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

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The distance between two consecutive, identical points on a wave, such as from one crest to the next crest.

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Example: This diagram shows that wavelength is the distance from the top of one wave (crest) to the top of the next one.

Front

Photon Noun

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[foh-ton]

Back

Photon

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A discrete particle or quantum of electromagnetic radiation that carries energy proportional to its radiation frequency.

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Example: This diagram shows photons, which are packets of light energy, hitting a metal surface and knocking electrons out, demonstrating the photoelectric effect.

Front

Electromagnetic Wave Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-mag-net-ik wayv]

Back

Electromagnetic Wave

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A wave of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagates through space and can travel through a vacuum.

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Example: The Sun sends energy to Earth in the form of electromagnetic waves, a process called radiation, which can travel through empty space.

Front

Electromagnetic Spectrum Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-mag-net-ik spek-trum]

Back

Electromagnetic Spectrum

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The entire range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by frequency, wavelength, and energy.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, arranging different types of waves like radio waves and X-rays by their increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength.

Front

Infrared Noun

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[in-frah-red]

Back

Infrared

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Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light, which is invisible to the human eye and often perceived as heat.

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Example: This thermographic image shows a handprint's heat signature, demonstrating how infrared radiation, which we feel as heat, can be made visible by special cameras.

Front

Ultraviolet Noun

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[ul-tra-vy-o-let]

Back

Ultraviolet

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Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays, which is invisible to the human eye.

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Example: This diagram shows ultraviolet (UV) light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a wavelength shorter than visible violet light.

Front

Ionizing Radiation Noun

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[eye-on-eye-zing ray-dee-ay-shun]

Back

Ionizing Radiation

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Radiation with enough energy to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, which can cause chemical changes and cellular damage.

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Example: This image shows a particle of radiation hitting an atom and knocking an electron out, which turns the neutral atom into a charged ion.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vers wayv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave in which the oscillations or vibrations of the medium are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, labeling its highest point (crest), lowest point (trough), distance from equilibrium (amplitude), and the length of one full cycle (wavelength).