Electromagnetic Spectrum
ROYGBIV
Name: ____________________
400-700 nm
X-ray energy-----------------Visible light--Infrared-- microwave ---radio wave
1. In one word, how does sound/light energy travel?
2. What are the 7 wavelengths of visible light? (list in order from smallest to largest
wavelength)
3. Essentially, what is the main difference between an X-ray wave and a radio wave?
4. What two spectrums of visible light do MOST plants use?
5. In terms of color, explain why a pigment is green (i.e. where are the other colors?)
6. Identify four other forms of energy (besides sound and light).
7. What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?
8. Give two examples of each.
9. In photosynthesis ________________ energy is being converted to
_____________ energy.
10. What three units are used to describe a wave?
11. Which waves are the longest of the electromagnetic spectrum? Shortest/
12. Why are gamma rays harmful?
13. Compare the wave length of gamma ray wave and a radio wave by illustrating
them.
Waves have three important measurements. The amplitude is the height of a peak or trough. The
wavelength is the distance between any two peaks or troughs. The frequency is the number of
waves that pass by in one second. Amplitude and wavelength are measured in metres.
Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz). One Hz is equal to one wave passing by each second.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
Radios, televisions, mobile phones, and radar use signals made up of electromagnetic waves.
These are waves that carry energy as electricity and magnetism at the speed of light. Light we
can see is also an electromagnetic wave, but other types of electromagnetic wave are invisible.
The various types of electromagnetic wave have different frequencies and wavelengths.
Together, they make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
GAMMA RAYS
These are produced by radioactivity. They have a short wavelength and a high frequency and
carry large amounts of energy. They are very harmful and can cause cancer in humans and
animals.
ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
These invisible waves are slightly shorter than visible violet light and carry more energy. We wear
sunglasses and sunblock to prevent damage to our eyes and skin by ultraviolet rays.
INFRARED RAYS
Infrared rays are slightly longer waves than visible red light. Although we cannot see infrared, we
can feel it as heat. When heat energy is transferred by radiation, it is carried by waves of infrared.
RADAR
Radar is a way of locating airplanes and ships using a type of radio waves called microwaves.
These have much longer wavelengths than visible light. Cooking is another use for microwaves.
RADIO WAVES
Radio waves are the longest in the spectrum. They carry radio and TV signals around Earth.
Radio waves from outer space are picked up by radio telescopes and used in studies of the
universe.