Electromagnetic Radiation Definition: Characteristics of Waves Wavelength (λ): Frequency (v): Amplitude: Draw and Label the parts of a wave: Other relevant Info. White light can be separated into ____________________________ The color with the highest frequency is_______/ with the lowest frequency is _________ List the different forms of electromagnetic radiation in order of least to greatest frequency:____ ____________________ As photon energy increases, what happens to wavelength and frequency?___________ ____________________

 In the early 1900’s scientist discovered that certain elements gave off visible light when heated in a flame. Analysis of this light revealed that an element’s chemical behavior is related to the arrangement of electrons.  Because of this, it became important to understand nature of light

 Electromagnetic radiation: a form of energy that exhibits wavelike behavior as it travels through space. Examples Visible light from the sun, microwaves, x-rays, radio waves, etc

Wavelength: λ  shortest distance between equivalent points on a continuous wave; measured from crest to crest or trough to trough  expressed in meters, centimeters, or nanometers Frequency: v  The number of waves that pass a given point per second  Expressed in hertz (Hz or s -1 ) Amplitude  Wave’s height from the origin to a crest or origin to a trough crest amplitud e origin

c = λ v where c is the speed of light, λ is wavelength, and v is frequency Example: What is the wavelength of a microwave with a frequency of 3.44 x 10 9 Hz? λ = c/v λ = 3.00 x 10 8 m/s = 8.72 x m 3.44 x 10 s -1

 Although the speed of Electromagnetic waves is the same, wavelengths and frequencies can be different (ex: higher frequency = shorter wavelength)  White light, such as sunlight, can be separated into a continuous spectrum of colors if passed through a prism. These are the colors of the rainbow (roy g biv – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

 Electromagnetic spectrum (EM spectrum) is all forms of electromagnetic radiation where the only difference in the types of radiation is their wavelengths and frequencies