Transcript Chapter 2: Using Light

Waves and
Light
Wave

A DISTURBANCE that transfers ENERGY
from place to place.
Mechanical Waves


Requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas)
to move through
Ex. Water wave, sound wave
Electromagnetic Waves



Do NOT require a medium to move
through.
A vibrating electric and magnetic field that
moves through space.
Ex. Light, microwaves
Rest position
Wavelength-The distance between two
corresponding parts of a wave (from crest
to crest)
Amplitude-Maximum distance that the
medium particles move away from their
rest positions.
Crest-High point of a wave
Trough-Low point of a wave
Frequency-number of complete waves
that pass a given point in a certain
amount of time ; measured in hertz
(Hz); 1 wave every second = 1 Hz
Speed- how far the wave travels in a
given amount of time.
Producing EM waves

Charged particles emit EM waves


Charged particles creates an electric field
Moving charged particles creates a magnetic
field
Screen captured
from Doc Physics
http://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v=
IWVPJSoJDzA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfXzwh
3KadE
Electromagnetic
Spectrum



EM waves are classified in order of
increasing frequency.
The shorter the wavelength the greater
energy the wave has. The longer the
wavelength the less energy the wave has.
Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared waves,
Visible light, Ultraviolet Rays, X-Rays,
Gamma Rays
Electromagnetic
Spectrum