Electromagnetic Waves Order and Definitions

Electromagnetic Wave

transverse waves consisting of electric and magnetic fields oscillating at right angles to each other.

Radio Wave

Electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies, wavelength 1 m to 100 000 km

Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic waves with the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies. Wavelength 10¹⁰ - 10¹⁶ m

Reflection

Occurs when a wave bounces off a surface that it cannot pass through

Amplitude

the maximum displacement of a wave from the equilibrium position.

EM waves

can travel through vacuum at the speed of light.

Frequency

the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a second.

Infrared Radiation

transfer heat. wavelengths 7 x 10⁻⁷ - 10⁻³ m

Microwaves

shorter wavelength than radio waves, mm to cm wavelengths.

Refraction

the change in direction of waves caused by a change in wave speed.

Speed of an EM wave

300,000,000 m/s

Transverse

oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Ultraviolet Light

frequencies slightly higher than visible light, wavelength 10⁻⁸ - 4 x10⁻⁷ m.

Visible Light

the only types of electromagnetic radiation that we can see. wavelengths 400 - 700 nm

Wavelength

the distance between the crest of one wave and the crest of the next wave.

X-Rays

wavelengths 10⁻¹³ - 10⁻⁸m overlap with gamma waves

Hertz

- Unit of measure for frequency

Polarised waves

Transverse waves where the oscillations are restricted to one plane.