Electromagnetic
Waves
Electromagnetic waves
transfer energy through
radiation.
Key Concepts
SECTION
1
Electromagnetic waves
have unique traits.
Learn how electromagnetic
waves differ from mechanical
waves.
SECTION
2
Electromagnetic waves
have many uses.
Learn about the behaviors
and uses of different types
of electromagnetic waves.
SECTION
3
The Sun is the source
of most visible light.
Learn about the natural and
artificial production of light.
SECTION
4
Light waves interact
with materials.
Learn how light waves behave
in a material medium.
Prepare and practice for
the FCAT
• Section Reviews, pp. 403,
412, 418, 425
• Chapter Review, pp. 428–430
• FCAT Practice, p. 431
CLASSZONE.COM
• Florida Review: Content
Review and FCAT Practice
396 Unit 3: Waves, Sound, and Light
How does this phone
stay connected?
What Melts the Ice Cubes?
Put an ice cube in each of two sandwich bags,
and place the bags in sunlight. Cover one with
a sheet of white paper, and cover the other
with a sheet of black paper. Lift the sheets of
paper every five minutes and observe the cubes.
Continue until they are melted.
Observe and Think
What did you notice
about the way the ice
cubes melted? How can you
explain what you observed?
What Is White Light Made Of?
Use the shiny side of a compact disk (CD) to
reflect light from the Sun onto a sheet of white
paper. If bright sunlight is not available, use a
flashlight. Try holding the CD at different
angles and at different distances from
the paper.
Observe and Think
What did you see on the paper?
Where do you think that what
you observed came from?
Internet Activity:
Electromagnetic Waves
Go to ClassZone.com
to explore images of
the Sun based on
different wavelengths.
ClassZone.com
Back
Location:
Forward
Reload
Home
Images
Print
Security
Stop
http://www.classzone.com
Observe and Think
Why can we see only
some of the waves
coming from the Sun?
NSTA
scilinks.org
Light and Color Code: MDL029
Chapter 12: Electromagnetic Waves 397
CHAPTER 12
CONCEPT REVIEW
VOCABULARY REVIEW
• A wave is a disturbance
that transfers energy.
mechanical wave p. 337
• Mechanical waves have
a medium.
frequency p. 343
• Waves can be measured.
• Waves react to a change
in medium.
wavelength p. 343
reflection p. 351
field See Glossary.
FLORIDA REVIEW
CLASSZONE.COM
Content Review and FCAT Practice
TAKING NOTES
SUPPORTING
MAIN IDEAS
Make a chart to show
main ideas and the
information that supports
them. Copy each blue
heading. Below each
heading, add supporting
information, such as
reasons, explanations,
and examples.
VOCABULARY
STRATEGY
Write each new vocabulary
term in the center of a
frame game diagram.
Decide what information
to frame it with. Use
examples, descriptions,
parts, sentences that use
the term in context, or
pictures. You can change
the frame to fit each term.
MAIN IDEA
Electromagnetic waves have unique properties.
EM waves are disturbances in a field
rather than in a medium.
EM waves can travel through a vacuum.
EM waves travel at the speed of light.
passes through a vacuum
RADIATION
interacts with a medium
398 Unit 3: Waves, Sound, and Light
travels
at the
speed of
light