CH 03: Radiation

What creates an electromagnetic wave?

A vibrating charged particle.

Electromagnetic waves consist of what fields?

Co-oscillating electric and magnetic fields.

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

300,000 km/s.

Infrared is named for what part of the spectrum?

The part of the spectrum with frequencies less than those of red light.

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

300,000 km/s.

What does a positive charge do to a negatively charged particle?

Attracts it.

What does a positive charge do to another positive charge?

Repels it.

Compared to ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation has a greater what?

Wavelength.

What is a characteristic of motion waves?

They transfer energy without physical movement of material from one location to another.

What can light reveal about celestial objects?

Distance, space motion, temperature, chemical composition.

What effect would a star moving toward Earth have on its blackbody curve peak?

Shifted toward higher energies.

According to Wien's law, the hottest stars have what peak wavelength?

The shortest peak wavelength.

If the Sun's temperature were to double, Stefan's law states that its energy emission would:

Increase four times.