Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation Flashcards

What is the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of an electromagnetic wave?

Answer: They are inversely proportional — higher frequency means shorter wavelength

Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, since wave speed equals frequency times wavelength.

Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum carries the most energy per photon?

Answer: Gamma rays

Gamma rays have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, giving them the greatest energy per photon.

Sound waves traveling through air are best classified as which type of wave?

Answer: Longitudinal waves

Sound waves are longitudinal (compressional) waves in which particle displacement is parallel to the direction the wave travels.

What wave property determines the pitch of a sound?

Answer: Frequency

Pitch is determined by frequency; higher-frequency sound waves produce higher-pitched sounds.

Which color of visible light has the longest wavelength?

Answer: Red

Red light has the longest wavelength (approximately 620–750 nm) of all colors in the visible spectrum, meaning it also has the lowest frequency among visible colors.

What happens to the speed of light when it passes from air into water?

Answer: It decreases because water is denser

Light slows down when entering a denser medium like water because the index of refraction of water is greater than that of air.

Which of the following is NOT an example of an electromagnetic wave?

Answer: Sound waves

Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium to travel through, whereas electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.