Waves and light
Longitudinal Wave- Move parallel to the wave. For example, Sound waves are
longitudinal
Tansverse wave- Move perpendicular from the wave. For example, water ripples arre
transverse waves
Wave- a disturbance in space
Crest- Highest point in the wave
Trough- lowest point in the wave
Amplitude- the distance between the center and the highest or lowest point
Wavelength- distance between two successive parts of a wave
Frequency- the number of waves produced in a second
Equilibrium- rest point of a wave
Electromagnetic waves/Electromagnetic radiation- Is a wave that comes from
vibratiions between electric and magnetic field. They can travel in any medium, as well
as the vacuum of space, at a speed of 3*108m/s.
Christian Orsted- an electric field produces a magnetic field.
Michael Faraday- a magnetic field produces an electric field.
There are 7 different types of electromagnetic waves
Radio Waves(Longer than 1*10-1 meters) -Radio/Television Signal
Radiowaves produced by electrons
vibrating. Capable of transmitting sound
and picture over long distances
-Global Positioning System(GPS)
Space Based navigation, provides
geographical and time information
anywhere on or near earth
-Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)
Medical imaging technique that uses
magnets, makes detailed pictures of
inside the body
Microwaves(1*10-1m -1*10-3m) -Satellite Communication
Microwaves are used in satellite
communication because it can penetrate
the earth’s atmosphere. They are
transmitted by antenna to a satellite and
back
-Terrestrial Communication
Cellphones are transmitters and
receivers that use microwaves
-Cooking
Produces heat through agitating water
molecules in the food and cooks it
-Radio Detection and Ranging(RADAR)
A detection system that determines the
range, angle, or velocity. It’s used to
detect aircraft, ships, and the like
Infrared(1*10-3m-7*10-7m) -Remote Control(IR Remote)
Uses LED lights to transmit signals to
control devices
-Infrared Scanner
Shows temperature variation of the body,
blue and green means cold and red and
orange means hot
-Night Vision Goggles
Uses thermal imaging tech to capture
infrared light being emitted as heat by
objetcs
Visible Light(7*10-7m-4*10-7m) -Sight
Allows us to see
-Screen Lights
Creates visible light
-Artificial Lights
Creates light in dark places. Example,
Flashlight
-Optical fibers
Used in medicine as an endoscope, a
tube with a tiny camera, used to see
inside the body
Ultraviolet(4*10-7m-1*10-8m) -Ultraviolet B(UUB)
Interacts with a protein(7-DHC) in the
skin, converts it to Vit-D
-Security Markings
Used as sensitive document verifiers
-Water Sterilization
Kills most dangerous bacteria in water
-Fluorescence
Glows in sunlight
X-Ray(1*10-8m-1*10-11m) -Diagnosing bone fractures
Low Powered X ray- Used in diagnosing
bone fractures
-Airport Security Scanner
High Powered X ray- Used in airport
security scanners. Doesn’t pass through
led
Gamma Ray(Less than 1*10-11m) -Treat Tumors
Kills cancer cells with high energy
gamma rays
-sterilizes surgical instruments
Easily penetrates materials and kills
microorganisms
Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation
Radiation- Emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles
through space, might penetrate various materials
The ability of each type of radiation to pass through matter is expressed as penetration
power. More material the radiation can pass through, the higher their penetration
power and the more dangerous they are. It depends on energy and frequency
Ionizing radiation- can remove electrons from atoms. More energy. The ability to
remove electrons is analysed in what is called Ionizing power.
Non- Ionizing Radiation- can’t remove electrons from atoms. Less energy
Light, Mirrors, and Lenses
-Light is a type of wave that carries energy
-Light rays are narrow beams that travel in straight lines
-It’s an electromagnetic wave and doesn’t need a medium to travel in
Opaque- doesn’t allow light to travel through them
Translucent- allows some light to pass through them
Transparent- lets most light to pass through it