All Flashcards
What is the key difference between electromagnetic and mechanical waves?
Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum; mechanical waves require a medium.
Compare radio waves and gamma rays in terms of wavelength.
Radio waves have the longest wavelengths; gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths.
Compare the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum versus in a medium.
Electromagnetic waves travel at their maximum speed in a vacuum. Their speed decreases in a medium.
Contrast the propagation of electromagnetic waves with sound waves.
Electromagnetic waves can propagate through a vacuum, while sound waves require a medium.
Compare the wavelengths of red light and violet light.
Red light has a longer wavelength than violet light.
What is the key difference between electromagnetic and mechanical waves?
Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum; mechanical waves require a medium.
Compare radio waves and gamma rays in terms of wavelength.
Radio waves have the longest wavelengths; gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths.
Compare the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum versus in a medium.
Electromagnetic waves travel at their maximum speed in a vacuum. Their speed decreases in a medium.
Compare infrared and ultraviolet waves in terms of frequency.
Ultraviolet waves have a higher frequency than infrared waves.
Compare X-rays and visible light in terms of energy.
X-rays carry much more energy than visible light.
What is the effect of oscillating electric and magnetic fields?
The creation and propagation of electromagnetic waves.
What happens when electromagnetic waves encounter a medium?
They can be absorbed, reflected, or refracted.
What is the effect of shorter wavelength on electromagnetic radiation?
Higher frequency and higher energy.
What happens when visible light passes through a prism?
It is separated into its constituent colors (ROY G. BIV) due to refraction.
What is the effect of increasing the frequency of an electromagnetic wave?
It increases the energy of the wave.