Unit 6 Notes 5

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that are caused by vibrations of electrons and can transfer energy through electric and magnetic fields without requiring a medium.

Transverse Waves

Waves in which the oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, characteristic of light waves.

Photoelectric Effect

The phenomenon where certain colors of light can eject electrons from a metal surface depending on the energy of the light.

Photons

Small packets of energy that make up light, which have no mass.

Intensity of Light

The quantity that measures the amount of light illuminating a surface, dependent on the number of photons passing through a certain area.

Speed of Light (c)

The speed at which light waves travel, approximately 300,000,000 m/s in a vacuum.

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a point in a certain amount of time, inversely proportional to wavelength.

Wavelength

The distance between consecutive peaks of a wave; inversely related to frequency.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Infrared Waves

Electromagnetic waves that carry thermal energy, with wavelengths between 0.001 m to 0.000001 m.

Ultraviolet Waves (UV)

Electromagnetic waves that can cause sunburn and are necessary for vitamin D production.

X-Rays

High-energy electromagnetic waves that can travel through soft tissue and are used in medical imaging.

Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic waves with ultra-high frequency that can break molecular bonds.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium into another, changing speed.

Diffraction

The bending of waves around obstacles and openings.