Light Waves and Matter

A light wave is an electromagnetic wave which has both an electric and magnetic component associated with it. Electromagnetic waves are often distinguished from mechanical waves. The distinction is based on the fact that electromagnetic waves

Can travel through a region void of matter and mechanical waves cannot.

List the electro magnetic spectrum in order

Radio waves, microwaves, Infrared waves, visible light, ultra violet, x-ray, gamma ray

A light wave is an electromagnetic wave which has both an electric and magnetic component associated with it. Electromagnetic waves are often distinguished from mechanical waves. The distinction is based on the fact that electromagnetic waves

Can travel through a region void of matter and mechanical waves cannot.

List the electro magnetic spectrum in order

Radio waves, microwaves, Infrared waves, visible light, ultra violet, x-ray, gamma ray

Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum has the highest frequency?

Gamma Ray

Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength?

Radio waves

It is known that electromagnetic waves with longer wavelengths have a greater ability to bend around obstacles that get in their path. This ability to bend around obstacles is referred to as diffraction. Electromagnetic waves with strong diffraction properties are used in communication. Which two regions of the spectrum have the greatest ability to diffract?

Radio wave and microwave radiation

It is known that electromagnetic waves with high frequency are more capable of causing damage to the organs of living things. Which two regions of the spectrum have the tendency to cause the greatest damage to humans?

Gamma radiation and x-ray radiation. The higher-frequency parts of the ultraviolet region are also harmful to humans.

Which color of the visible light spectrum has the highest frequency?

Violet

Which color of the visible light spectrum has the longest wavelength?

Red

Light and material objects always interact in one way or another. When light is incident on some materials, it is transmitted through the material. For instance, visible light is transmitted through glass. Glass is said to be __________ to visible light.

Transparent

Other materials absorb and/or reflect light only. They do not allow light to pass through it. Such materials are said to be

Opaque

Some material objects are transparent to certain forms of electromagnetic waves but opaque to other forms. Earth's atmosphere is an example. The atmosphere allows visible light to pass through it. Much of the more damaging portion of the ultraviolet spectrum is blocked by a thin layer of ozone in the stratosphere. The atmosphere is said to be ________ to visible light but _______ to ultraviolet light.

transparent, opaque