Unit 4.6 - Waves and Electromagnetic Waves Overview

Transverse Waves

Waves where particle motion is perpendicular to wave direction.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves where particle motion is parallel to wave direction.

Compression

Region in longitudinal waves where particles are close together.

Rarefaction

Region in longitudinal waves where particles are spread apart.

Amplitude

Maximum displacement from undisturbed position in a wave.

Wavelength

Distance between equivalent points on adjacent waves.

Frequency

Number of waves passing a point per second.

Period

Time taken for one complete wave cycle.

Wave Speed

Speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.

Wave Speed Equation

v = f * λ, where v is speed.

Electromagnetic Waves

Transverse waves that transfer energy through space.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves by wavelength.

Radio Waves

Lowest frequency electromagnetic waves used in communication.

Microwaves

Electromagnetic waves used in cooking and satellite communication.

Infrared Waves

Waves used in heating and night vision technologies.

Visible Light

Electromagnetic waves detectable by the human eye.

Ultraviolet Waves

Waves that can cause skin tanning and damage.

X-rays

High-energy waves used in medical imaging.

Gamma Rays

Highest frequency waves, often produced by radioactive decay.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that can remove tightly bound electrons from atoms.

Radiation Dose

Measure of risk from exposure to radiation, in sieverts.

1 Sv

Equivalent to 1000 millisieverts (mSv).

Refraction

Bending of waves as they pass between different media.

Ray Diagrams

Visual representations illustrating wave behavior at boundaries.