The EM Spectrum

Physical Science - Middle School

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The Electromagnetic Spectrum Electromagnetic Spectrum Although every electromagnetic wave travels at the same speed, each can have a different wavelength and frequency. The electromagnetic spectrum organizes types of light by decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency, from left to right. It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, and gamma rays. 2:13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 + - - + 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 longest shortest wa velength low est highest fr equency low est highest ener gy Radio Waves Radio waves range in wavelength from thousands of meters to about 30 cm. In addition to using radio waves to broadcast radio and TV signals, astronomers use radio signals from distant parts of the universe to study the composition of stars and planets. radio waves 2:13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 M 2 M2 C 1 GH I PQR S 2:13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 M 2 M2 C 1 GHI PQR S gamma rays © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4477 Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. 1 + - - + 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Microwaves Microwaves have wavelengths from about 30 cm to 1 mm. In addition to cooking our food, microwaves are used by cell phones and GPS devices. Infrared Infrared light has wavelengths in the range of 700 nm and 1mm. Your TV remote uses infrared light to send a signal to change the channel. Infrared cameras and night vision goggles allow you to see infrared light. Warm objects will appear as bright colors. Visible Light Visible light waves have wavelengths in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm. These wavelengths are seen by humans as different colors. The longest wavelength, 700 nm, is seen as red light, while the shortest wavelength of 400 nm is seen as violet light. This range of colors which humans can see is called the visible spectrum. Ultraviolet Light The wavelength of ultraviolet light ranges between 60 nm and 400 nm. A limited amount of ultraviolet light from the Sun reaches Earth. X Rays X-rays have wavelengths ranging from 0.001 nm to 60 nm and can penetrate many types of materials, including your body. Gamma Rays Gamma rays have wavelengths shorter than 0.1 nm but the highest frequency of all electromagnetic waves. Gamma rays can easily pass through most materials. 1 + - - + 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 longest shortest wa velengt h low est highest fr equency low est highest ener gy 2:13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 The energy of electromagnetic waves is related to wavelength and frequency. Energy is directly proportional to frequency and inversely proportional to wavelength. Wave energy increases across the spectrum. Radio waves have the lowest energy while gamma rays have the highest energy. Visible Light
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Pause and Review Fill in the ovals and boxes with labels and/or details that are appropriate. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4477 Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. Fill in the ovals and boxes with labels and/or details that you think are appropriate. Magnetic Field are part of are part of Electromagnetic Waves Radio Waves Visible Light are made up of are used for are used for are used for are used for are used for which refracts into __________________ __________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________ ________________________ ________________ ________________________ ________________ __________________________ _______________________ _____________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________________ __________ __________________ __________________ __________ Copyright © NewPath Learning. All rights reserved. Light