Name: ____________________________________ Date: _____________ Period: ________ Page#: ____
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radiation:
__________________________________: Spontaneous emission of radiation when the nucleus of an
atom breaks down to form a different element.
Radiation is organized into the electromagnetic spectrum.
______________ Energy
______________ Energy
Rainbow Colors: _______________________________________________________________________
Electromagnetic radiation is classified into two types:
1. Nonionizing Radiation:
Parts of the spectrum:
2. Ionizing Radiation:
Parts of the spectrum:
Parts of the Electromagnetic Spectrum:
Radio Waves:
- Where have you encountered radio waves?
- Radio waves have the longest wavelength, smallest frequency, and _________________ energy.
Microwaves:
- Where have you encountered microwaves?
- Microwave radiation is used to cause particles in your food to vibrate. If particles are moving
faster, what does that mean for their temperature?
- Microwaves have long wavelengths, low frequency, and __________________ energy.
Infrared:
- Where have you encountered infrared radiation?
- Some infrared radiation is given off from the _______________, which feels warm on the skin.
- Infrared radiation has a long-medium wavelength, medium-low frequency, and
___________________ energy.
Visible:
- Where have you encountered visible radiation?
- This light given off by the sun is the energy provided for ________________________.
- Visible light has a medium wavelength, medium frequency, and _______________ energy.
Ultraviolet (UV):
- Where have you encountered UV radiation?
- UV radiation is beneficial for the body to get Vitamin D, however overexposure kills healthy cells
and leads to skin cancer. The ____________________ layer filters this radiation from the sun.
- UV radiation has medium-short wavelength, medium-high frequency, and
_____________________ energy.
X-ray:
- Where have you encountered X-ray radiation?
- X-rays can pass through skin/muscle but are absorbed by the bone. Why should you limit the
number of x-rays you get in a year?
- X-rays have a short wavelength, high frequency, and ______________ energy.
Gamma Rays:
- Where have you encountered gamma rays?
- Gamma rays can be emitted when an atomic bomb goes off. These rays are destructive to human
cells and forms of them are used in cancer treatment.
- Gamma rays are emitted when ___________________________ elements decay.
- Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength, highest frequency, and the ______________ energy.
Circle the radiation with the highest energy in each grouping:
gamma ray
microwave
visible
ultraviolet
radio
x-ray
infrared
ultraviolet
visible
blue color
red color
yellow color