Electromagnetic Radiation and the Doppler Effect

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering electromagnetic radiation properties, the EMS spectrum, and the Doppler effect.

Electromagnetic radiation

Energy that travels thru space as waves made of electric magnetic field.

Hertz (Hz)

The unit used to measure the frequency of electromagnetic waves.

Visible light spectrum

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can detect.

Wavelength

The distance between one wave crest and the next.

Microwaves (everyday use)

Used for cooking food by vibrating water molecules.

Ultraviolet light (exposure risks)

Can cause sunburns skin cancer and eye damage.

EMS waves (least to most dangerous)

Radio, Microwave, Infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray Gamma ray.

Electromagnetic waves (composition)

Consist of an electric field and magnetic field.

Radio waves (uses)

Radio/TV broadcasting, mobile phone signals and gps.

Non-ionizing waves

Waves considered safe, including radio, microwave, infrared, and visible light.

High frequency

A wave where the wave cycle can change rapidly.

Doppler effect

A change in wave frequency when a source and observer is more relative to each other.

Moving source wavefronts

Wave fronts bunch up in the front and chases it because they spread out more behind you.

Car horn pitch (approaching)

Sounds higher when approaching because the sound waves are compressed into higher frequencies.

Doppler effect (wave applications)

Applies to sound waves and light waves.