Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Ch. 17

What is an electromagnetic wave?

• A transverse wave

• A wave that consists of vibrating electric and magnetic fields that move through space at the speed of light.

How are they produced?

• By charged particles being pushed or pulled toward or away from other charged ( + or - ) particles creating the magnetic field.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Is a complete range of electromagnetic waves placed in order of increasing frequencies.

• Electromagnetic waves have different wavelengths and different frequencies.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Made up of the following waves and rays

1. Radio waves

2. Microwaves

3. Infrared rays

4. Visible light

5. Ultraviolet light rays

6. X-rays

7. Gamma rays

• Long wavelength and low frequency, left side, slow

• Short wavelength and high frequency, right side, fast

• Frequency – the number of complete waves that pass through a given point in a certain amount of time.

• Wavelength – how long or short one wave is.