EM Waves

What travels through a vacuum at the speed denoted by 'c'?

Transverse waves, which are waves where the oscillation of the medium (if any) is perpendicular to the direction of the energy transport.

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3 × 10^8 meters per second (ms^-1), which is a fundamental constant known as the speed of light.

What do oscillating electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields in electromagnetic waves do?

In electromagnetic waves, the oscillating electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) are oriented at right angles to each other and to the direction of wave propagation, forming a transverse wave.

What is the direction of polarization in a transverse wave?

The direction of polarization in a transverse wave is defined as the direction parallel to the electric field (E) of the wave, indicating the direction in which the electric field oscillates.

What wavelength range defines visible light?

Visible light is defined by a wavelength range from approximately 700 nanometers (nm) for red light to about 400 nanometers (nm) for violet light, representing the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye.

What defines X-rays and gamma rays?

X-rays are typically produced by high-energy fast-moving electrons colliding with matter, while gamma rays originate from the decay of unstable atomic nuclei, both representing high-energy portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

What is the wavelength range for radiowaves?

Radiowaves have a wavelength range greater than 10^6 meters (1,000,000 meters), making them suitable for long-distance communication.

What is the wavelength range for microwaves?

Microwaves are defined by a wavelength range from 10^-1 meters (0.1 meters) to 10^-3 meters (0.001 meters), and they are commonly used for cooking food and in various communication technologies.

What is the range of infrared wavelengths?

Infrared wavelengths range from 10^-3 meters (1 millimeter) to 700 nanometers (nm), which is just below the visible spectrum and includes thermal radiation.

What is the wavelength range for ultraviolet light?

Ultraviolet (UV) light has a wavelength range from 400 nanometers (nm) to 100 nanometers (nm), which is just above the visible spectrum and has higher energy than visible light.

What is the wavelength range for X-rays?

X-rays have a wavelength range from 100 nanometers (nm) to 1 picometer (pm), corresponding to their high-energy nature, which allows them to penetrate various materials.

What is the wavelength range for gamma rays?

Gamma rays have a wavelength range from 1 picometer (pm) to greater than 10^-16 meters, representing the highest energy and shortest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.

What is the atomic radius in meters?

The atomic radius is approximately 10^-10 meters (0.1 nanometers), which is the typical distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell of an atom.

What is the nuclear radius in meters?

The nuclear radius is roughly 10^-15 meters (1 femtometer), representing the size of an atomic nucleus.

Which electromagnetic waves are transmitted through the atmosphere?

The electromagnetic waves that can be transmitted through the atmosphere include some radio waves (specifically those with wavelengths from 10 centimeters to 10 meters), visible light, and longer wavelengths of ultraviolet light, all of which can penetrate atmospheric conditions.

Why are telescopes often placed on mountains or in orbit around Earth?

Telescopes are often placed on elevated mountains or in orbit around Earth to minimize atmospheric absorption or reflection of certain electromagnetic waves, providing clearer and more direct observations of celestial phenomena.