Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Waves

• Electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through empty space or through matter and is produced by charged particles that are in motion.

• Electromagnetic waves have two parts- an electric field and a magnetic field.

Electric Field

• Electric Field around an electric charge extends out through space, exerting forces on other particles.

Magnetic Field

• Magnetic field cause other magnets to line up along the direction of the magnetic field.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• The range of electromagnetic waves with different frequencies and wavelengths forms.

Radio Waves

• Radio wave have the lowest frequencies of all electromagnetic waves and carry the least energy.

• Radio waves have wavelengths longer than about 0.3 meters.

Radio Waves

• Microwaves have higher frequency and shorter wavelengths than the wave that are used in you home radio.

Radio Waves

• Radar is one use of radio waves.• Radar means:– RAdio– Detecting– And– Ranging

Infrared Waves

• The waves have wavelengths between about one thousandth and 0.7 millionths of a meter.

Visible Light

• Visible light has wavelengths between 0.7 and 0.4 millionths of a meter.

Ultraviolet Radiation

• Ultraviolet radiation is higher in frequency than visible light and has even shorter wavelengths.

• These waves range between 0.4 millionths and about ten billionths of a meter.

Ultraviolet Radiation

• Extended exposure to ultraviolet waves from the sun can cause skin damage.

X-Rays

• X-Rays have an even higher frequency than ultraviolet rays and have enough energy to go right through skin.

Gamma Rays

• Gamma Rays have the highest frequency and therefore carry the most energy.