Electromagnetic Waves Exam Questions with
100% Correct Answers
Which are electromagnetic waves? Check all that apply.
earthquake waves
infrared waves
ocean waves
radio waves
ultraviolet waves
infrared waves
radio waves
ultraviolet waves
Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced
Sample Response: The source of electromagnetic waves are charged particles that begin to
oscillate when acted upon by a disturbance. These oscillating particles create an oscillating
magnetic field. The oscillating magnetic field then creates an oscillating electric field, and an
oscillating electric field in turn creates an oscillating magnetic field.
Which part of visible light transfers the most energy?
red
blue
green
yellow
blue
, An infrared wave traveling through a vacuum has a frequency of 4.0 × 1014 Hz. What is
the wave's wavelength?
7.5 × 10^7 m
7.5 × 10^-7 m
1.2 × 10^14 m
1.2 × 10^-14 m
7.5 × 10-7 m
Explain why the speed of light is lower than3.0 × 108 m/s as it goes through different
media.
Sample Response: In a vacuum, there are no atoms or particles that interfere with the path of
light. However, in other media, the speed of light is lower than 3.0 × 108 m/s because the
wave is continuously absorbed and re-emitted by each atom in its path. The differences in
speed are due to the composition of the medium and the density of the particles in the
medium.
When caring for wounds, doctors need to make sure wounds are not infected by
bacteria. Which electromagnetic wave would doctors most likely use for this purpose?
gamma rays
ultraviolet waves
visible light
X-rays
ultraviolet waves
Which describes the relationship between the frequency, wavelength, and speed of a
wave as the wave travels through different media?
As speed changes, wavelength changes and frequency remains constant.
100% Correct Answers
Which are electromagnetic waves? Check all that apply.
earthquake waves
infrared waves
ocean waves
radio waves
ultraviolet waves
infrared waves
radio waves
ultraviolet waves
Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced
Sample Response: The source of electromagnetic waves are charged particles that begin to
oscillate when acted upon by a disturbance. These oscillating particles create an oscillating
magnetic field. The oscillating magnetic field then creates an oscillating electric field, and an
oscillating electric field in turn creates an oscillating magnetic field.
Which part of visible light transfers the most energy?
red
blue
green
yellow
blue
, An infrared wave traveling through a vacuum has a frequency of 4.0 × 1014 Hz. What is
the wave's wavelength?
7.5 × 10^7 m
7.5 × 10^-7 m
1.2 × 10^14 m
1.2 × 10^-14 m
7.5 × 10-7 m
Explain why the speed of light is lower than3.0 × 108 m/s as it goes through different
media.
Sample Response: In a vacuum, there are no atoms or particles that interfere with the path of
light. However, in other media, the speed of light is lower than 3.0 × 108 m/s because the
wave is continuously absorbed and re-emitted by each atom in its path. The differences in
speed are due to the composition of the medium and the density of the particles in the
medium.
When caring for wounds, doctors need to make sure wounds are not infected by
bacteria. Which electromagnetic wave would doctors most likely use for this purpose?
gamma rays
ultraviolet waves
visible light
X-rays
ultraviolet waves
Which describes the relationship between the frequency, wavelength, and speed of a
wave as the wave travels through different media?
As speed changes, wavelength changes and frequency remains constant.
