Electromagnetic Spectrum and Elements Test
Mr. Pratt – FJH – Earth Science
Multiple Choice: Select the best answer from the choices shown.
1. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum can be seen by humans?
A. Microwaves
C. Visible light
B. Infrared
D. Ultraviolet
2. What is happening when a person sees a red apple?
A. Red light is being reflected off the apple to the eye.
B. Red light is emitted from the apple to the eye.
C. White light is reflecting off the eye onto the apple.
D. White light is emitted from the apple to the eye.
The diagram below illustrates the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. Use this diagram to answer the following
questions.
(From: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/waves3.html)
3. Which type of electromagnetic wave has the longest wavelength?
A. Visible light
C. Ultraviolet
B. Radio waves
D. Gamma rays
4. Which type of electromagnetic wave has the greatest frequency?
A. Visible light
C. Ultraviolet
B. Radio waves
D. Gamma rays
5. Which type of electromagnetic wave has the highest energy?
A. Visible light
C. Ultraviolet
B. Radio waves
D. Gamma rays
6. Which colored flame is at a higher temperature?
A. red
C. yellow
B. blue
D. orange
7. Which of the following waves have a shorter wavelength than visible light?
A. Infrared
C. Ultraviolet
B. Radio waves
D. Microwaves
8. Which property of light causes a rainbow to form (or the glasses to separate light into colors)?
A. Reflection
C. Radiation
B. Absorption
D. Diffraction
9. The distance from one point on a wave to the exact same spot on the next wave is called the _________.
A. Wavelength
C. Crest or peak
B. Frequency
D. Velocity
10. An astronomer has observed two nebulae in space that stationary relative to Earth. The Nebula A emits
strongly in infrared light. The Nebula B emits strongly in ultraviolet. Which is the BEST explanation of the
observation?
A. Nebula A has the same average temperature as Nebula B because temperature does not depend on
the light emitted.
B. Nebula A has the same average temperature as Nebula B, but Nebula A is farther away, shifting the
light emitted.
C. Nebula A has a greater average temperature than Nebula B because hotter objects will emit strongly
in infrared light.
D. Nebula A has a lower average temperature than Nebula A because cooler objects will emit strongly
in infrared light.
11. A wave has a wavelength of 8 cm. You observe 15 waves pass a certain point in 5 seconds.
What is the frequency of this wave?
A. 8 waves/sec.
C. 150 waves/sec.
B. 3 waves/sec.
D. 24 waves/sec.
12. How much of the electromagnetic spectrum is visible?
A. None of it
C. Most of it
B. Only a small part
D. All of it
13. A wave has a wavelength of 6 cm. You observe 10 waves pass a certain point in 5 seconds.
What is the velocity of this wave?
A. 6 cm/s
C. 60 cm/s
B. 2 cm/s
D. 12 cm/s
14. The periodic table is a chart of all known chemical elements, both natural and synthesized. Why are the
elements arranged in a curious pattern of unequal rows and columns?
A. to reflect chemical properties such as reactivity
B. to indicate when they were discovered
C. to leave room for notes
D. it was an accident
15. Which of the following is NOT accurate about elements?
A. Some elements have been synthesized (or created) in a lab, rather than found in nature.
B. Lighter elements are created by nuclear fusion in stars.
C. Heavier elements are created by neutron capture.
D. All elements are found naturally on Earth.
16. Where were the elements on the periodic table formed?
A. Stars
B. The Sun
C. The big bang
D. In Russia
17. Each element is defined by a specific number (hydrogen is 1, oxygen is 8, potassium is 19 & gold is 79). This
is called the atomic number and is assigned because ___________________________.
A. Dmitri Mendeleev picked the order based on the quantity of each element on Earth
B. this is the number of protons found in the element
C. this is the weight of each element on Earth
D. this was the order in which they were discovered
18. What is a flame test used for?
A. To determine the temperature at which things burn.
B. To test how hot a flame is.
C. To identify elements in a substance.
D. Nothing. It is just fun to burn things in science!
19. Something that cannot be broken down by chemical means is called a(n) ____________.
A. molecule
B. element
C. period
D. nuclear fusion
20. How is the light spectrum used in astronomy?
A. To take pictures of deep space with telescopes.
B. To identify elements of stars and galaxies.
C. To calculate the rate at which other galaxies are moving either away from or toward us.
D. All of the above.
Short Answer: Answer the questions on the back of your answer sheet. You may use a separate sheet of paper if
more room is needed. The more you tell me, the more points I can award you!
1. In class we calculated the wavelength and measure the frequency of lines of the adding machine paper
strips. Explain the relationship between wavelength and frequency.
2. How are astronomers able to determine what elements are found in other stars or galaxies?
Extra Credit: Answer on the back of your answer sheet. Use a separate sheet of paper if needed.
1. Explain the difference between an observation and inference. Give an example of each.