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Visible Light, Invisible Light, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Background Information
The electromagnetic spectrum includes all types of electromagnetic radiation, which are waves of energy traveling through
space. This spectrum ranges from very long radio waves to very short gamma rays.

Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye, consisting of colors from red to
violet. Other types of light, such as ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR), are invisible because our eyes cannot detect them.

Radio waves have the longest wavelengths and the lowest frequencies. They are used in communication systems like
television and radio. Microwaves are shorter than radio waves and are used in microwave ovens to heat food. Infrared waves
are even shorter and are used in remote controls and thermal imaging.

Visible light falls in the middle of the spectrum. It includes all the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo, and violet. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the shortest within the visible spectrum.

Ultraviolet light has shorter wavelengths than visible light but longer than X-rays. It can cause sunburns and is used in
sterilizing medical equipment. X-rays and gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies. X-rays are
used in medical imaging to view inside the body, while gamma rays are used in cancer treatment and have the highest energy.

Understanding the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and energy is important. As the wavelength of a wave
decreases, its frequency and energy increase. This means that waves with shorter wavelengths (like X-rays and gamma rays)
have higher frequencies and more energy than waves with longer wavelengths (like radio waves).

Amplitude is another important characteristic of waves. It is the height of the wave from its middle to its peak. Higher
amplitude means the wave carries more energy. For example, a bright light has a higher amplitude than a dim light, and loud
sounds have higher amplitude than soft sounds.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Properties of Waves Include:

● Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave. Longer wavelengths mean lower
frequency and energy, while shorter wavelengths mean higher frequency and energy.
● Frequency: The number of waves that pass a point in one second. Higher frequency means higher
energy.
● Amplitude: The height of the wave from its middle to its peak. Higher amplitude means more energy.
● Speed: How fast the wave travels through a medium. In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves travel at the
speed of light.

Part 1
Fill in the Blanks

1. The part of the electromagnetic spectrum

that we can see is called

_________________ light.
2. _______________ waves have the longest wavelengths and are used in

communication.

3. _________________ waves are shorter than radio waves and are used to heat

food in microwave ovens.

4. ________________ waves are used in remote controls and thermal imaging

cameras.

5. The range of colors that make up visible light includes red, orange, yellow, green,

blue, indigo, and _________________.

6. ________________ light has a shorter wavelength than visible light but longer than

X-rays.

7. The Sun emits ___________________ radiation that can cause sunburns.

8. _______________ rays have very short wavelengths and are used in medical

imaging to view inside the body.

9. _________________ rays have the shortest wavelengths and the highest energy,

often used in cancer treatment.

10. The human eye is sensitive to wavelengths from approximately 400 to 700

________________.

11. As the wavelength of electromagnetic waves decreases, their frequency and

energy ________________.

12. _________________ light falls between infrared and ultraviolet light on the

electromagnetic spectrum.

13. ________________ waves have the highest frequency and energy in the

electromagnetic spectrum.
14. _________________ light is used in sterilizing medical equipment because of

its high energy.

15. _________________ waves are used in communication systems like

television and radio.

16. The height of a wave from its middle to its peak is called its

_________________.

17. Higher amplitude means a wave carries ________________ energy.

18. A bright light has a __________________ amplitude than a dim light.

19. A loud sound has a _________________ amplitude than a soft sound.

20. The distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave is called its

_________________.

21. The number of waves that pass a point in one second is called the

_________________ of the wave.

22. In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of

______________.

Section 2
1. What are the similarities and differences between violet light and ultraviolet (UV) light?

2. How does red light differ from infrared light in terms of color and where it can travel?
3. Why is visible light important for human vision compared to other types of light?