GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC PROPERTIES OF ELECTROMAGETIC

WAVES (EM SPECTRUM)

(i).The Electromagnetic spectrum consists of seven waves which form the
electromagnetic spectrum. These are Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultraviolet rays, visible
light, Infrared radiation, Microwaves and Radio waves.

(ii). They all travel in air (vacuum) at the speed of light; 3.0 x 10 8 m/s.

(ii). They are all transverse by nature and can show reflection, refraction,
diffraction, interference and polarization effects.
1
(iv).All of them obey the general wave equations; v = fγ and f= T

(v).They carry a lot of heat energy (can cause great heating effects).

THE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES

1. GAMMA RAYS

 Have the highest frequency but the least wavelength.

 They are used as scanners (for detection of weapons on airports, leaks in
pipes and x-ray effects).
 Also used for sterilizing medical instruments and foods.

2. X-RAYS

 Have very high frequency but small wavelength.

 They are used for X-ray photography for discerning broken or fractured
bones or foreign objects in the body.
 Used for killing cancerous cells, but can also cause cancer.

3. ULTRAVIOLET RAYS

 Have fairly very high frequency but smaller wavelengths.

 Can cause fluorescence in lamps/bulbs (make some chemicals glow).
 Can cause suntan, skin cancer and eye damage and bleaching effects

1
  Used to verify invisible signatures on banknotes.

4. VISIBLE LIGHT

 Is the only electromagnetic wave that has the correct frequency range to
stimulate our sense of vision
 It consists of SEVEN different colors (ROYGBIV) which can be separated
from each other through a triangular glass prism by dispersion.
Red

White Light Violet

 Each of the seven colors is referred to as a monochromatic light (because it

is a light of only one frequency and only one color).
 Visible light has wavelength range from 0.7 μm to 0.4 μm.

5. INFRARED RADIATION

 Has fairly large wavelength than visible light but smaller frequency.
 It is used in remote controllers (of TVs, and DVDs) and in Satellites and
Aircrafts for weather forecasts.
 Sometimes also used in security alarms and lights.

6. MICROWAVES

 Have longer wavelengths and lower frequency.

 Is used in microwave ovens for heating or cooking foods.
 Is used for international communications via geostationary Satellites.

7. RADIO WAVES

 Have the longest wavelengths but the least frequency.

2
  Used for long distance Radio, Television and Mobile Phone
communications.

HOME WORK-QUIZ DUE MONDAY, 09th/10/2023 [25marks (100%)]

1. Give the approximate wavelength in micrometer ( μm) of;

a) Red light b) Green light c) Violet light [3]

2. Put these in order of wavelength, starting with the longest; [3]

Ultraviolet X-rays Red light Violet light Microwaves Infrared

3. Name a type of electromagnetic radiation that, [6]

a) Is visible to the eye b) Is emitted by hot objects c) Is diffracted by hills

d) Can cause fluorescence e) Is used in radar f) Can pass through dense metals

4. A very high frequency (VHF) radio station emits radio waves of frequency
150MHz. a) What is the frequency in Hz? b) Calculate the wavelength. [5]

5. Explain what is meant by these terms as used in physics;

a) Dispersion b) Monochromatic light [2]

6. State three differences between a concave lens and a convex lens. [3]

7. State, which position an object must be placed from a convex lens,

a) for the lens to serve as a simple microscope. [1]

b) to obtain an image that is indescribable (at infinity) [1]

c) to obtain an image that is inverted, real and same size as object. [1]