Electromagnetic Waves (EM Waves) – Radio Waves – longest wavelength, lowest
transverse waves created as a result of energy, lowest frequency, uses: AM/FM radio,
vibrations between an electric field and a TV broadcasting, cell phone signals, Wi-Fi
magnetic field, composed of oscillating
magnetic and electric fields Microwaves – shorter wavelength than radio,
higher energy, uses: microwave ovens, GPS,
Perpendicular – electric field, magnetic radar, satellites, Wi-Fi
field, and wave direction are all perpendicular
to each other Infrared (IR) – invisible to the eye but felt as
heat, uses: remotes, thermal cameras, heaters,
Wavelength – distance from a crest to another sensors
crest in the EM wave train
Visible Light – only part of the spectrum
Photons – tiny particles of light, energy human eyes can see, colors red (longest) to
carried by EM waves in the form of light, heat, violet (shortest), uses: bulbs, sunlight,
or radiation, light is photons (form of photography, lasers
electromagnetic energy), caused by magnets
ROYGBV – order of visible light by
Medium – not needed, EM waves can travel wavelength and frequency
even in a vacuum Red – longest wavelength, lowest frequency
Orange – longer wavelength, lower frequency
Speed of EM Waves – all travel at the speed Yellow – medium wavelength, medium
of light in vacuum (~3 × 10⁸ m/s) frequency
Green – shorter wavelength than yellow,
Electromagnetic Wave – waves of energy higher frequency
made by 2 fields (magnetic field and electric Blue – shorter wavelength than green, higher
field), caused by changes in electric and frequency
magnetic fields, electron (–) and proton (+) Violet – shortest wavelength, highest
frequency
Electric Field – invisible region around a
charged particle (electron or proton) where it Ultraviolet (UV) – higher energy than visible
can push or pull on other charges, an invisible light, invisible to the eye, uses: sunburn and
force field created by charges vitamin D from Sun, sterilizing equipment,
black lights, tanning beds
Magnetic Field – invisible region around a
magnet where it can push or pull on other X-Rays – very high energy, passes through
magnets or moving charges, always has north soft tissues but absorbed by bone, uses:
and south poles with field lines going from medical imaging, airport scanners, industrial
north to south inspection
Combination – electric field and magnetic Gamma Rays – shortest wavelength, highest
field together form electromagnetic waves energy, strongest, dangerous in high amounts,
Electromagnetic Spectrum – complete range of uses: cancer therapy, sterilization, nuclear
electromagnetic waves arranged by explosions, stars, cosmic sources, killing
wavelength and frequency microbes
Frequency (f) – number of waves per second,
unit hertz (Hz), 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second, Light – form of electromagnetic energy
example: 440 Hz = 440 cycles per second (photons), travels in a straight line, can be
reflected, transmitted, or absorbed
Relationship of Wavelength and Frequency
– inversely proportional, when wavelength Plane Mirror – flat surface, forms upright,
increases frequency decreases, when virtual, same-size image, common bathroom
frequency increases wavelength decreases mirror
Reflection – bouncing back of light when it Concave Mirror – curved inward, forms real
hits a surface, angle of incidence = angle of or virtual image depending on distance,
reflection enlarged image, uses: dentist mirror, makeup
mirror, flashlights, telescopes
Refraction – bending of light as it passes
through different mediums, example: straw in Convex Mirror – curved outward, forms
water looks bent upright, smaller image, wide range, uses: car
side mirror, CCTV mirrors, security mirrors,
Diffraction – spreading of light around edges back of spoon
of obstacles or openings
Properties of Light Using Plane Mirror –
Absorption – energy taken in, example: black image formed is upright, virtual, same size as
shirt feels hot object, laterally inverted
Transmission – light passes through a Human Eye – how we see light
material, example: glass
Cornea – protects the eye, refracts light
Incident Ray (IR) – ray of light approaching
the mirror Lens – convex lens, bends and focuses light
onto retina
Reflected Ray (RR) – ray of light that leaves
the mirror Retina – light-sensitive layer, rods detect dim
light and black/white, cones detect color
Normal Line – imaginary line that divides IR
and RR Optic Nerve – transmits signals from retina to
brain
Law of Reflection – angle of incidence =
angle of reflection, example: 20° in and 20° Light in Eye – light is converted into
out electrical signals and brain processes the imag
Specular Reflection – smooth surface, clear
image
Diffuse Reflection – rough surface, unclear
image, distorted
Behavior of Light – reflected (bounces back),
absorbed (taken in), transmitted (passes
through), refracted (bent), diffracted (spread)