Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation
Parts of a Wave Amplitude = wave’s height = measure from 0 to the crest Wavelength = λ = distance between crests = measured in meters Frequency = ν = number of wave cycles to pass a given point per unit time = measured in hertz (Hz) or (s-1)
Electromagnetic radiation: λ x ν = c, the speed of light Includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, UV, X-rays, and gamma rays All electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light, c, in a vacuum c = 2.998 x 108 m/s
Electromagnetic spectrum
Electromagnetic spectrum
Calculating the wavelength of light Calculate the wavelength of light emitted by sodium lamps if the frequency of the radiation is 5.10 x 1014 s-1.
Calculating the wavelength of light Known c = 2.998 x 108 m/s ν = frequency = 5.10 x 1014 s-1 Unknown λ = wavelength = ?
Calculating the wavelength of light
Calculating the wavelength of light What is the frequency of radiation with a wavelength of 5.00 x 10-8 m? In what region of the electromagnetic spectrum is this radiation?
Calculating the wavelength of light Known c = 2.998 x 108 m/s λ = wavelength = 5.00 x 10-8 m Unknown ν = frequency = ?
Calculating the wavelength of light
Einstein and de Broglie Einstein showed light can behave like a particle Light particles are called photons (they are like packets of energy) de Broglie showed matter particles can behave like waves Wavelike properties of electrons are used in electron microscopes because they have smaller wavelengths than visible light