4.6.2.1 Types of Electromagnetic Waves

Question 1

Electromagnetic waves:

Answer 1

EM waves are transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of the waves to an absorber

Question 2

What do EM waves form?

Answer 2

EM waves form a continuous spectrum and all types of electromagnetic wave travel at the same velocity through a vacuum (space) or air

Question 3

How are EM waves grouped?

Answer 3

• grouped in terms of their wavelength and frequency
• from log to short wavelength (or low to high frequency)

Question 4

Order of the electromagnetic spectrum:

Answer 4

Question 5

What EM waves do our eyes detect?

Answer 5

our eyes only detect visible light and so detect a limited range of electromagnetic waves

Question 6

Properties of EM waves:

Answer 6

• as wavelength decreases frequency must increase
• higher frequency —> higher energy
  
  • energy depends on frequency of wave
• transverse
• transfer energy from source to absorber
• all EM waves travel at same velocity through vacuum (or air) at the speed of light (3 x 10⁸m/s)