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- Electromagnetic waves
- The electromagnetic spectrum
Section summary
- The relationship among the speed of propagation, wavelength, and frequency for any wave is given by
, so that for electromagnetic waves,
where
is the frequency,
is the wavelength, and
is the speed of light.
- The electromagnetic spectrum is separated into many categories and subcategories, based on the frequency and wavelength, source, and uses of the electromagnetic waves.
- Any electromagnetic wave produced by currents in wires is classified as a radio wave, the lowest frequency electromagnetic waves. Radio waves are divided into many types, depending on their applications, ranging up to microwaves at their highest frequencies.
- Infrared radiation lies below visible light in frequency and is produced by thermal motion and the vibration and rotation of atoms and molecules. Infrared’s lower frequencies overlap with the highest-frequency microwaves.
- Visible light is largely produced by electronic transitions in atoms and molecules, and is defined as being detectable by the human eye. Its colors vary with frequency, from red at the lowest to violet at the highest.
- Ultraviolet radiation starts with frequencies just above violet in the visible range and is produced primarily by electronic transitions in atoms and molecules.
- X-rays are created in high-voltage discharges and by electron bombardment of metal targets. Their lowest frequencies overlap the ultraviolet range but extend to much higher values, overlapping at the high end with gamma rays.
- Gamma rays are nuclear in origin and are defined to include the highest-frequency electromagnetic radiation of any type.
Conceptual questions
If you live in a region that has a particular TV station, you can sometimes pick up some of its audio portion on your FM radio receiver. Explain how this is possible. Does it imply that TV audio is broadcast as FM?
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Illustrate that the size of details of an object that can be detected with electromagnetic waves is related to their wavelength, by comparing details observable with two different types (for example, radar and visible light or infrared and X-rays).
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Your friend says that more patterns and colors can be seen on the wings of birds if viewed in ultraviolet light. Would you agree with your friend? Explain your answer.
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The rate at which information can be transmitted on an electromagnetic wave is proportional to the frequency of the wave. Is this consistent with the fact that laser telephone transmission at visible frequencies carries far more conversations per optical fiber than conventional electronic transmission in a wire? What is the implication for ELF radio communication with submarines?
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Questions & Answers
if three forces F1.f2 .f3 act at a point on a Cartesian plane in the daigram .....so if the question says write down the x and y components ..... I really don't understand
hey , can you please explain oxidation reaction & redox ?
hey , can you please explain oxidation reaction and redox ?
Boitumelo
for grade 12 or grade 11?
Sibulele
advantages of electrons in a circuit
we're do you find electromagnetism past papers
Ntombifuthi
it is the force or component of the force that the surface exert on an object incontact with it and which acts perpendicular to the surface
Sihle
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how to calculate coefficient of static friction
how to calculate static friction
Lisa
How to calculate a current
Tumelo
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How to calculate force
Monambi
a structure of a thermocouple used to measure inner temperature
a fixed gas of a mass is held at standard pressure temperature of 15 degrees Celsius .Calculate the temperature of the gas in Celsius if the pressure is changed to 2×10 to the power 4
How is energy being used in bonding?
a rate of change in velocity of an object whith respect to time
Khuthadzo
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Kidist
Acceleration is a rate of change in velocity.
Justice
how to calculate tension by substitution
use fnet method. how many obects are being calculated ?
Khuthadzo
how to calculate acceleration and tension force
you use Fnet equals ma , newtoms second law formula
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Mulaudzi
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Source:
OpenStax, College physics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 27, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9
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