Components of a Wave

chapter 6; chem 1211

What is Electromagnetic Radiation?

energy that moves through space as a wave

examples: x-rays, visible light, radio waves, microwaves, etc.

Define waves, wavelength and amplitude

• waves = disturbances that transmit energy

• wavelength = distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs (SI units: m)

• amplitude (A) = height of a crest or depth of a trough (correlates to intensity)

Define frequency and speed as they relate to waves

• frequency (v) = number of waves that pass a given point in space per second (SI units: S^-1 or Hertz, Hz)

• Speed c =. all forms of electromagnetic radiation moves at the speed of light; other waves, such as sound waves, will move slower than light will

• SI unit: m/s

• speed of light in a vacuum = 2.998 × 10⁸ m/s

How do waves interact with each other?

through interference

What is constructive interference?

• waves are “in phase” with each other when they interact

• the amplitude of the waves will increase, so the intensity of the light will increase

what is destructive interference?

• waves are “out of phase” with each other when they interact

• the amplitude of the waves will decrease, so the intensity of the light will decrease

Define diffraction

when light is scattered to a small opening or a barrier in its path

True or false: the shorter the wavelength, and therefore, the greater the frequency, the greater the energy of the wave?

True; gamma rays have the most energy for this reason