EM Spectrum/Light Physics Study Guide

how are electromagnetic waves formed?

electric charge vibrates creating a changing magnetic fields

what types of waves are electromagnetic waves?

transverse wave

what is the value for the speed of light?

3.0 x 10 ⁸ m/s

what are the particles of EM waves called?

photons

what happens with wavelength and frequency as you move from left to right across the spectrum?

left (wavelength is high, frequency is lower) as it moves to the right (wavelength is lower, frequency is higher)

what happens with energy as you move from left to right?

more powerful towards the right side

what is refraction? 

the bending of light from one medium to another

when light refracts what changes?

the speed and direction of the light

how does density of a medium affect the speed of light?

its faster in air, slower in water: as density increases, speed decreases

what is the index of refraction?

the measure of how much a ray of light bends from one medium to another (how much it bends in that certain substance) 

what does your speed do when going from a low n to a high n

speed decreases, and the angle bends towards the normal (air to water ex)

whats the Doppler effect?

change in wave frequency when the source of the wave or the person watching it moves