1. Electromagnetic Spectrum
Unit

2. Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is energy that is transmitted from one place to another by light.
Not all forms of electromagnetic radiation are visible.
In fact, most electromagnetic radiation cannot be seen.
X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet light, and visible light are some of the types of electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation is known to travel in transverse waves.

3. Electromagnetic spectrum
Lists all forms of electromagnetic radiation.
The various types of radiation differ in wavelength and frequency

4. Wavelength and Frequency
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive waves.
The symbol for wavelength is λ (Greek letter lambda)
Wavelength is measured in meters.
Frequency is the number of wave peaks that pass by a certain point in a given time period.
The symbol for frequency is ν (Greek letter nu)
Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or the number of waves per second.

5. Practice ii iii Which wave has a greatest frequency?
Which wave has a greatest wavelength?
iii

6. Relationship between Wavelength and Frequency
Wavelength and frequency have an inversely proportional relationship.
As one increases the other decreases and vice versa.
This relationship can be summarized by the following equation:
c=λν
C= the speed of light (roughly 3.0 x 108m/s)

7. Wavelength and Frequency
Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the greatest wavelength?
Radiowaves
Which types of electromagnetic radiation has the greatest frequency ?
Gamma Rays

8. Visible Light Spectrum
Which color light has the greatest wavelength?
Red
What type of light has the greatest frequency?
Violet
How can you remember the colors in order from least frequency to greatest?
ROYGBIV

9. Dual Nature of Light
All forms of electromagnetic radiation have wave-like properties.
However, these types of light also behave like particles at times.
For this reason we say that electromagnetic radiation has a dual wave-particle nature.

10. Light as a Particle? E photon=hν
Picture each particle of light carrying a specific quantity of energy called a quanta.
These particles of light are known as photons.
Each color of light carries a different quanta of energy.
The amount of energy of a photon is the frequency of the light times a constant h. (Planks constant) h=6.626 x 10-34J s
E photon=hν

11. Practice Which color photon would have the greatest amount of energy?
Violet
Which would have the least?
Red