The Electromagnetic

Spectrum

What is a wave?

•A wave is made when particles move up and down.

Parts of a wave.

•Wavelength: The distance between crests.

•Amplitude: The height from crest to trough.

Amplitude

•Electric Field = The Blue Arrows

•Magnetic Field = The Red Arrows

•When they combine, they make the EM spectrum.

Change in Wavelength

•As the wavelength changes, so does the characteristic of the wave.

Very Long wavelengths = Radio and TV

Long wavelengths are used to cook our food in

Microwave ovens.

•Shorter wavelengths make up the colors we see.

Wavelength of the color RED is the longest.

Even shorter wavelengths are used for X-Rays.

•The shortest wavelengths are Radioactive

(Gamma Rays)

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/waves_particles/

Astronomy’s Use of EM Waves

•We can detect what stars are made of by

the wavelength it gives off.

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