Unit 8 - Electromagnetic Waves

The difference of electromagnetic waves from Mechanical

They don’t need a medium to travel though

Mechanical Waves require but EM Waves don’t

Matter to travel though

Mechanical Waves

Require a medium to vibrate and travel through

Highest Frequency Electromagnetic Wave

Gamma rays have the highest frequency and energy

Longest Wavelength Electromagnetic Wave

Radio Waves have the longest wavelength and lowest energy

Visible Light Frequency Oder

ROYGBIV represents the frequency order of visible light, ranging from Red to Violet, with Red having the lowest frequency and Violet the highest.

Electromagnetic Spectrum Equation

c = λf

Radio Waves

The lowest frequencies and the longest wavelengths

Law of Reflection

The incident angle and reflected angle are equal relative to the normal line

Incident Light

Light that strikes a surface

Reflected Light

Light that bounces off a surface according to the law of reflection

Normal Line

A line perpendicular to the surface where light strikes

Refraction

The bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another due to speed change

Diffraction

The spreading out of waves when passing through a narrow opening or around an edge

Sound Waves Diffraction

Sound waves diffract more than light waves due to their longer wavelengths

Interference

Waves interacting after diffraction

Constructive Interference

Occurs where wave peaks overlap

Destructive Interference

Occurs where peaks and troughs overlap

Vacume

A region devoid of matter