Electromagnetic Waves Questions with 100%
Correct Answers
radio waves
low-frequency, low-energy electromagnetic waves that have a wavelength longer than about
30cm; they are often used for communication; they are long enough to move around many
objects, but energy is low enough that they aren't harmful
microwaves
a low-frequency, low-energy electromagnetic wave that has a wavelength between about
1mm and 30cm; they are used for communication; they are less often scattered by particles in
the air; they are useful for satellite communications because they can pass through Earth's
upper atmosphere
infrared waves
an electromagnetic wave that has a wavelength shorter than a microwave but longer than
light; these are emitted by vibrating molecules in any matter; you cannot see them, but you
can feel them; television remote controls use them
light waves
electromagnetic waves that we can see
ultraviolet waves
an electromagnetic wave that has a slightly shorter wavelength and higher frequency than
light and carries enough energy to cause chemical reactions; Earth's atmosphere prevents
most of it from reaching Earth; they carry enough energy to move through clouds and to
penetrate skin; they can damage or kill cells, causing sunburn and even skin cancer
, x-rays
high-energy electromagnetic waves that have a slightly shorter wavelength and higher
frequency than an ultraviolet wave; they have enough energy to pass through skin and
muscle, but the calcium in bone can stop them; scientists learn about objects and events in
space using them
gamma rays
high-energy electromagnetic waves with a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than all
the other types of EM waves; they are produced when the nucleus of an atom breaks apart or
changes; they have enough energy that physicians use them to destroy cancerous cells; they
form in space during violent events, such as the explosion of stars
the colors of visible light in order from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet
300,000
Electromagnetic waves travel through space at ___________ km/s, or the speed of light.
slow down
When they encounter matter, electromagnetic waves ____________.
increases
As with all waves, the wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic waves are related. As
frequency decreases, wavelength ___________.
waves
Energy from the Sun reaches Earth by traveling in ___________.
Correct Answers
radio waves
low-frequency, low-energy electromagnetic waves that have a wavelength longer than about
30cm; they are often used for communication; they are long enough to move around many
objects, but energy is low enough that they aren't harmful
microwaves
a low-frequency, low-energy electromagnetic wave that has a wavelength between about
1mm and 30cm; they are used for communication; they are less often scattered by particles in
the air; they are useful for satellite communications because they can pass through Earth's
upper atmosphere
infrared waves
an electromagnetic wave that has a wavelength shorter than a microwave but longer than
light; these are emitted by vibrating molecules in any matter; you cannot see them, but you
can feel them; television remote controls use them
light waves
electromagnetic waves that we can see
ultraviolet waves
an electromagnetic wave that has a slightly shorter wavelength and higher frequency than
light and carries enough energy to cause chemical reactions; Earth's atmosphere prevents
most of it from reaching Earth; they carry enough energy to move through clouds and to
penetrate skin; they can damage or kill cells, causing sunburn and even skin cancer
, x-rays
high-energy electromagnetic waves that have a slightly shorter wavelength and higher
frequency than an ultraviolet wave; they have enough energy to pass through skin and
muscle, but the calcium in bone can stop them; scientists learn about objects and events in
space using them
gamma rays
high-energy electromagnetic waves with a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than all
the other types of EM waves; they are produced when the nucleus of an atom breaks apart or
changes; they have enough energy that physicians use them to destroy cancerous cells; they
form in space during violent events, such as the explosion of stars
the colors of visible light in order from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet
300,000
Electromagnetic waves travel through space at ___________ km/s, or the speed of light.
slow down
When they encounter matter, electromagnetic waves ____________.
increases
As with all waves, the wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic waves are related. As
frequency decreases, wavelength ___________.
waves
Energy from the Sun reaches Earth by traveling in ___________.