EM waves

What type of waves are EM waves?

transverse

What do EM waves transfer?

Energy as radiation from the source of the waves to an absorber

What do EM waves travel through?

a vaccum

What is the speed of EM waves through a vaccum?

3 x 10⁸ m/s

What is the Electromagnetic spectrum?

A continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves that are grouped in terms of their wavelength and their frequency

What is the EM spectrum in order of increasing frequency?

Radio, Microwaves, IR radiation, Visible light, Ultra-violet, X-rays, Gamma-rays

What is the EM spectrum in order of increasing wavelength?

Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultra violet, visible light, IR radiation, Microwaves, Radio

What does the Visible light spectrum contain?

Contains all the frequencies that can be detected by the human eye

What are the uses of radio waves?

communication:

• television

• radio

What are the uses of microwaves?

Cooking food and for satellite communications

What are the uses of IR radiation

• Electrical heaters

• microwave ovens

  infrared cameras which can detect people in the dark

What are the uses of visible light?

Fibre optic communications

What are the uses of Ultraviolet light?

• Tanning equipment

• energy-efficient lamps

What are the uses of X-rays?

X-ray photos are used to help identify broken bones

What are the uses of gamma rays?

Sterilising food and medical equipment

How are Radio waves produced?

Radio waves can be produced by oscillations from an alternating current in electrical circuits