What is Light? Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The video tutorial explores the nature of light, tracing its understanding from historical figures like Newton and Huygens to Maxwell's classical electromagnetism. It explains light as electromagnetic waves with varying frequencies that form the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, UV radiation, and radio waves. The tutorial highlights technological applications of these waves and discusses the speed of light. It concludes with a preview of electric fields and a comprehension check.

Who was primarily responsible for developing the theory of classical electromagnetism?

• Isaac Newton

• Christiaan Huygens

• James Clerk Maxwell

• Albert Einstein

What determines the different types of light in the electromagnetic spectrum?

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

• Frequency

• Speed

Which of the following is NOT a type of electromagnetic radiation?

• Gamma rays

• Sound waves

• Microwaves

• Infrared radiation

At what speed does all electromagnetic radiation travel in a vacuum?

• 150 million meters per second

• 600 million meters per second

• 450 million meters per second

• 300 million meters per second

What is the relationship between the speed of a wave, its wavelength, and its frequency?

• Speed equals wavelength plus frequency

• Speed equals wavelength times frequency

• Speed equals frequency divided by wavelength

• Speed equals wavelength divided by frequency