Waves: Electromagnetic waves

Speed of all EM waves

3 x 10^8 m/s

Common EM wave properties

All are transverse, travel at the same speed, and transfer energy

Visible light spectrum

Red has the lowest frequency (longest wavelength); Violet has the highest

Non-ionizing radiation

Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, and visible light; cannot remove electrons

Ionizing radiation

High-frequency waves (X-rays, Gamma) that can delocalize electrons and cause cancer

Gamma ray uses

Sterilizing medical equipment and treating cancer by destroying cells

X-ray properties

Pass through skin/tissues but are absorbed by high-density bone

Radio wave transmitter

Oscillating electric charges produce oscillating electric and magnetic fields