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EM Spectrum
Covers terms and definitions of the electromagnetic spectrum
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Electromagnetic waves | energy from vibrating electrons; partly electric and partly magnetic |
Radiant energy | energy from light that is transmitted by electromagnetic waves |
Electromagnetic Spectrum | light waves classified by frequency: radio waves; microwaves; infrared; visible light; UV; X-ray; gamma. |
Radio waves | has the longest wavelength ; lowest frequency; radio; TV; walkie-talkies; MRI |
Microwaves | cook food in microwaves; cell phone signals |
Infrared light | felt as heat; heats the Earth; night-vision technology; thermal imaging; waves below RED |
Visible Light or Spectrum | the only EM waves that can be seen by the human eye; white light made of ROY G. BIV |
Ultraviolet rays | Many insects can see UV light; used to kill bacteria; used to identify certain types of rock; can damage skin. |
X-rays | Can travel through most matter; used to make images of bones; used in airline security checks |
Gamma rays | Has the most energy; released in radioactive material-nuclear bombs; used to kill cancer cells, found in space. |
Rays | EM waves travel in straight lines (rays) from its source. |
Vacuum | Light waves travel through empty space and DO NOT need a medium. |
Speed of Light | 186,000 miles per second / 300,000 kilometers per second |
Properties of waves | Frequency, Amplitude, Wavelength, Transport energy |
Light vibrations | Visible light vibrates more than 100 trillion times per second |