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Electromagnetic Spectrum Overview

The document summarizes the electromagnetic spectrum and properties of electromagnetic waves. It includes: 1) A mnemonic to remember the order of the EM spectrum from radio to gamma rays. 2) A comparison of wavelengths from radio waves to gamma rays relative to everyday objects like soccer fields and atoms. 3) Examples of technologies that correspond to different wavelengths like radio, microwaves, visible light, and X-rays. 4) Descriptions of interactions between light and matter including transmitting, absorbing, reflecting, refracting, scattering, and interference patterns formed by wave combinations.

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167 views4 pages

Electromagnetic Spectrum Overview

The document summarizes the electromagnetic spectrum and properties of electromagnetic waves. It includes: 1) A mnemonic to remember the order of the EM spectrum from radio to gamma rays. 2) A comparison of wavelengths from radio waves to gamma rays relative to everyday objects like soccer fields and atoms. 3) Examples of technologies that correspond to different wavelengths like radio, microwaves, visible light, and X-rays. 4) Descriptions of interactions between light and matter including transmitting, absorbing, reflecting, refracting, scattering, and interference patterns formed by wave combinations.

Uploaded by

Xiexie Spam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Electromagnetic Spectrum - the range of frequencies possessed by electromagnetic waves

Mnemonic to remember the order of the EM spectrum waves: (Pick one from the PowerPoint or
make your own)

Raul’s Mother Is Visiting Uncle Xavier’s Garden


Rabid Monkeys In Velvet nderpants eXcrete Goo
Gate X Usually Lets In Most Radiation - this one is backwards – gamma to radio

Wavelength Comparison

Write in a comparison of sizes in the box below for the wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Each wave is larger than or smaller than the object listed below:

Radio waves: microwaves: infrared: visible light: ultraviolet: X-ray: gamma ray:

> _________ < _________ < _________ < __________ < _________ < __________ < ________

soccer field baseball cell bacteria virus waer molecule atom

What are examples of things we use today for each of the wavelengths of the EM spectrum?
Radio: TV, radio, cell phones & cordless phone signals

Microwaves: cook food, Doppler Radar, police radar

Infrared: heat treatment for illness, pictures in the dark of body heat, TV remote control

Visible (light): rainbow colors, laser, LED lights, fiber optics

Ultraviolet: suntan, kill bacteria & viruses, detect forgeries for paintings

X-ray: see broken bones, look for hidden bombs

Gamma ray: kill cancer cells & sterilize

Too Much EM?


 The sun is the primary source of EM radiation
 Our atmosphere acts as a shield to most of the dangerous EM waves
 Remember:
 High frequency = more energy
 More energy = more dangerous

Interactions of light and matter

1. Transmitting light
Transmitting light or allowing light to pass through
 Transparent – objects that can be seen clearly through
Examples: water, glass, air
- Translucent – transmit some light, but do not allow light to travel straight through; The image appears
foggy or fuzzy
- Examples: frost, chiseled or frosted glass, tissue paper

2. Absorbing light
Absorption is the transfer of light energy into matter

- Opaque – materials that do not let any light pass through them
- Ex. Bricks, rocks, paper
3. Reflecting light
Happens when light strikes an object and bounces off

 Examples: mirror or other shiny surface


 An object must be opaque in order to reflect light

4. Refraction – bending of waves that occur when light changes its medium
Examples: Observing fish in water, prism, pencil in cup of water

5. Diffraction – bending of waves around a barrier


Examples: Radio waves moving around buildings, fuzzy edges around a shadow.

6. Scattering – occurs when light is sent in many directions as it passes through a medium

Light Interactions:
Draw and label the wave patterns for the following terms: absorbed, reflected, refracted, scattered,
transmitted
transmitted

absorbed

scattered

refracted

reflected

Interference
 When two or more waves combine to make a new wave
Can make the wave stronger (constructive interference) or weaker (destructive interference).

 Examples: interference patterns in space tell scientists about the location of other stars and galaxies.
 Wave pool – in some places the waves come together to make a bigger wave, and some places they
flatten each other out.

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