Implications of wave behaviour in everyday life The electromagnetic spectrum

Specific learning outcomes Understand that the Electromagnetic Spectrum is made up of many different waves. To relate the waves that are found in the Electromagnetic Spectrum to everyday uses. Understand the terms of wavelength and frequency related to the waves in the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum The electromagnetic spectrum is more familiar to you than you might think. The microwave you use to heat your food and the cell phones you use are part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. So what are electromagneti c waves? Electricity can be static, like what holds a balloon to the wall or makes your hair stand on end. Magnetism can also be static like a refrigerator magnet. But when they change or move together, they make waves. Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field mixes with a magnetic field.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

How can you remember the correct order of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

What do “wave-length” and “frequency” mean? Radio waves, television waves, and microwaves are all types of electromagnetic waves. They differ from each other in wavelength. Wavelength is the distance between one wave crest to the next. Wavelength Trough Peak Midpoint line Amplitude What is wavelength and frequency measured in? Look in your workbook page 4 What is wavelength and frequency measured in? Look in your workbook page 4

Calculating Wave frequency Frequency is a word that means “how often something happens” With waves, it’s “how many per second” One Second Calculate the frequency of each wave above

Activities – The Electromagnetic Spectrum Watch “The Electromagnetic Spectrum” Video Chemicalsupervillans.wikispaces.com Complete the Wave Frequency Calculation task on pages 5 & 6. Compete the Slinky Experiment on page 6. Year 11 Science Workbook