NAME _________________________________________________________ DATE ____________________
Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Google search “NOVA tour of the electromagnetic spectrum,” click the SECOND link. It says [FLASH]
next to it. Read the paragraphs and then click Begin Tour.
Radio Waves
1. The wavelengths of radio waves are ______________ compared to other types
of electromagnetic waves—they range in length from ____________ km to less
than a _____________.
2. How are human-made radio waves generated?
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Put the mouse over the TV
3. How do TV’s use radio waves?
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Put the mouse over the radios
4. How is the radio portion of the spectrum divided?
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Microwaves
5. Microwave distances range from ______ cm to _______ mm.
6. What are the uses for microwave?
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Put the mouse over the microwave
7. How do microwave ovens heat food?
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Put the mouse over the sun
8. What wavelengths do stars emit?
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Put the mouse over the radar screen
9. How are microwaves used in radar?
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Infrared
10. Infrared radiation is most often felt as __________________.
11. Do all objects give off infrared radiation, and where does this radiation
come from?
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12. How is the amount of infrared radiation an object emits related to the objects temperature?
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Put the mouse over the radiator
13. What happens if an object, like a radiator, continues to heat up?
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Light
14. The wavelength of light is _________________.
15. How much of the electromagnetic spectrum is visible light?
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Put the mouse over the lamp
16. What happens when atoms gain energy then lose it again?
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Ultraviolet
17. What is a good source of ultraviolet light?
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18. What are some uses for UV light?
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19. Can humans see ultraviolet? What can? How do they use it?
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Put the mouse over the light
20. How is UV light used in artificial lighting?
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Put the mouse over the green circle
21. Why do we study the Sun in the ultraviolet spectrum?
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X-rays
22. Who discovered X-rays, and why did he name them like he did?
_______________________________________________________________
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Put the mouse over the x-ray
23. Explain some uses of x-rays in medicine.
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Put the mouse over the explosion
24. What is a good source of x-ray radiation?
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25. What do the colors of the supernova tell us?
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Gamma Rays
26. A gamma ray traveling at the __________________________________ will
only travel a distance that equals the
______________________________________. This is because the frequency of
the waves is extremely _________________.
27. How are gamma rays created throughout the universe?
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Put the mouse over the picture with tomatoes
28. What are some uses for gamma rays?
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Put the mouse over the blue circle
29. Why are there not many images of astronomical objects in gamma wavelengths?
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Use the word bank to label the diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum. When you have finished,
label the end of spectrum with HIGH ENERGY, and the end of the spectrum with LOW ENERGY.
high
short
long
gamma
indigo
microwave
blue
low
red
orange
violet
UV
infrared
green
radio waves
x-ray
yellow
30. In each of the following pairs, circle the form of radiation with the LONGER WAVELENGTH:
red light or blue light
infrared radiation or red light
microwaves or radio waves
gamma rays or UV radiation
31. In each of the following pairs, circle the form of radiation with the GREATER FREQUENCY:
yellow light or green light
UV radiation or violet light
x-rays or gamma rays
32. In each of the following pairs, circle the form of radiation with the LOWER ENERGY:
red light or blue light
gamma rays or UV radiation
microwaves or radio waves
yellow light or green light
infrared radiation or red light
x-rays or gamma rays
UV radiation or violet light