Table of Contents The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Producing Visible Light Wireless Communication

Electromagnetic Waves The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic Waves Believe it or not, you are being “showered” all the time, not by rain but by waves.

What Is an Electromagnetic Wave? The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves What Is an Electromagnetic Wave? An electromagnetic wave consists of vibrating electric and magnetic fields that move through space at the speed of light.

Models of Electromagnetic Waves The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves Models of Electromagnetic Waves Many properties of electromagnetic waves can be explained by a wave model. Only some light waves pass through a polarizing filter. The light that passes through vibrates in only one direction and is called polarized light.

Outlining The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves An outline shows the relationship between main ideas and supporting ideas. As you read, make an outline about electromagnetic waves. Use the red headings for the main ideas and the blue headings for the supporting ideas. The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves What Is an Electromagnetic Wave? Producing Electromagnetic Waves Energy Speed Models of Electromagnetic Waves Wave Model of Light Particle Model of Light

Links on the Nature of Waves The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves Links on the Nature of Waves Click the SciLinks button for links on the nature of waves.

End of Section: The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum? Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum? The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete range of electromagnetic waves placed in order of increasing frequency.

Scientific Notation Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Frequencies of waves often are written in scientific notation. A number in scientific notation consists of a number between 1 and 10 that is multiplied by a power of 10. To write 150,000 Hz in scientific notation, move the decimal point left to make a number between 1 and 10: In this case, the number is 1.5. The power of 10 is the number of spaces you moved the decimal point. In this case, it moved 5 places: 150,000 Hz = 1.5 X 105 Hz

Scientific Notation Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Practice Problem A radio wave has a frequency of 5,000,000 Hz. Write this number in scientific notation. 5.0 X 106 Hz

Electromagnetic Waves Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic waves are all around you–in your home, your neighborhood, and your town.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Previewing Visuals Before you read, preview Figure 3. Then write two questions that you have about the diagram in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, answer your questions. The Electromagnetic Spectrum Q. Which electromagnetic waves have the shortest wavelength? A. Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength. Q. Which electromagnetic waves have the lowest frequency? A. Radio waves have the lowest frequency.

End of Section: Waves of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Incandescent Lights Producing Visible Light An incandescent light is a light bulb that glows when a filament inside it gets white hot.

Neon Lights Producing Visible Light A neon light is a sealed glass tube that contains neon gas.

Comparing and Contrasting Producing Visible Light Comparing and Contrasting As you read, compare and contrast the five types of light bulbs by completing a table like the one below. Ordinary Light Bulb Tungsten-Halogen Feature Fluorescent Vapor Neon Bulb Material Glass Quartz Glass Glass Glass Hot/Cool Hot Very Hot Cool Cool Cool Holes in data from book. Tungsten filament and nitrogen gas and argon gas inside Has tungsten filament and a halogen gas inside Has neon or argon gas and solid sodium or mercury inside Makeup A gas and a powder coating inside Has neon gas inside More efficient than ordinary bulb Efficiency Not efficient Very efficient Very efficient Very efficient

Data Sharing Lab Producing Visible Light Click the PHSchool.com button for an activity about sharing data for the Consumer Lab Comparing Light Bulbs.

End of Section: Producing Visible Light

Radio and Television Wireless Communication In AM transmissions, the amplitude of a radio wave is changed. In FM transmissions, the frequency is changed.

Comparing Frequencies Wireless Communication Comparing Frequencies The table shows the ranges of radio broadcast frequencies used for AM radio, UHF television, FM radio, and VHF television.

Comparing Frequencies Wireless Communication Comparing Frequencies Interpreting Data: In the table, what units of measurement are used for frequency? Kilohertz (kHz) and megahertz (MHz)

Comparing Frequencies Wireless Communication Comparing Frequencies Interpreting Data: Which type of broadcast shown in the table uses the highest frequency radio waves? Which uses the lowest frequency waves? UHF television uses the highest frequency radio waves, and AM radio broadcast uses the lowest frequency radio waves.

Comparing Frequencies Wireless Communication Comparing Frequencies Calculating: Which type of broadcast uses waves with the shortest wavelength? UHF television uses waves with the highest frequency and therefore the shortest wavelength.

Comparing Frequencies Wireless Communication Comparing Frequencies Inferring: A broadcast uses a frequency of 100 MHz. Can you tell from this data if it is a television or radio program? Explain. You cannot tell from this data if it is a television or radio program, because VHF television and FM radio both broadcast radio waves with a frequency of 100 MHz.

Cellular Phone System Wireless Communication In the cellular phone system, cellular phones transmit and receive radio waves that travel to the nearest tower.

Communication Satellites Wireless Communication Communication Satellites In the Global Positioning System (GPS), signals from four satellites are used to pinpoint a location on Earth.

Using Prior Knowledge Wireless Communication Your prior knowledge is what you know before you read about a topic. Before you read, write what you know about wireless communication in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, continue to write what you learn. What You Know Cellular phones don’t use wires. Radio and television signals travel through the air. What You Learned The signals for radio and television programs are carried by radio waves. The signals can be transmitted by changing either the amplitude or the frequency of the radio waves. Cellular phones transmit and receive signals using microwaves.

Links on Using Waves to Communicate Wireless Communication Links on Using Waves to Communicate Click the SciLinks button for links on using waves to communicate.

End of Section: Wireless Communication

Electromagnetic waves Graphic Organizer Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of consist of have different Magnetic fields Electric fields Wavelengths Frequencies Light

End of Section: Graphic Organizer