_______________ is characterized by a range of wavelengths known as the electromagnetic
Thus, the definition of light is given by human physiology, but the other divisions of the electromagnetic spectrum are more arbitrary. The full range of wavelengths is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio waves, by definition, have wavelengths from 1 millimeter to 1000 kilometers. As we mentioned above, the product of wavelength and frequency is the speed of the wave. region of space produced by magnets, changing electric fields, and by vibrating charges. electromagnetic radiation. the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves traveling through matter or across space. photoelectric effect. the emission of electrons from a metal caused by light striking the metal. The electromagnetic waves that compose electromagnetic radiation can be imagined as a self-propagating transverse oscillating wave of electric and magnetic fields. This diagram shows a plane linearly polarized EMR wave propagating from left to right (X axis). It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, (visible) light, ultraviolet, X-, and gamma radiation. Classically, electromagnetic radiation consists of electromagnetic waves, which are synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate at the speed of light through a vacuum. He is best known for the formulation of the theory of electromagnetism and in making the connection between light and electromagnetic waves. He also made significant contributions in the areas of physics, mathematics, astronomy and engineering. He considered by many as the father of modern physics. For any wave, the product of wavelength and frequency equals the speed of the wave. When electromagnetic waves have wavelengths in the range from 400 nanometers to 700 nanometers,(a nanometer is one billionth of a meter) they are visible to humans and are known as light. If a spectrum shifts so that the wavelengths become shorter it is a blue shift. This tells us the object is moving (toward us, away from us). away from us. If a spectrum shifts so that the wavelengths become longer it is a read shift. This tells us the object is moving (toward us, away from us). the rate at which a wave's energy flows through a given unit of area, ie brightness. electromagnetic spectrum. the full range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. amplitude modulation. varying the amplitude of a wave. The wavefront of electromagnetic waves emitted from a point source (such as a lightbulb) is a sphere. The position of an electromagnetic wave within the electromagnetic spectrum can be characterized by either its frequency of oscillation or its wavelength. Basic Electromagnetic Wave Properties - Electromagnetic radiation is characterized by a broad range of wavelengths and frequencies, each associated with a specific intensity (or amplitude) and quantity of energy.
Electromagnetic radiation