High School Physics : Understanding the Electromagnetic Spectrum
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Light And Electromagnetic Waves
A microwave has a wavelength of 
Since a microwave is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, its velocity will be equal to the speed of light:
Any wave on the electromagnetic spectrum will have the same velocity, though their wavelengths and frequencies will vary, defining their individual characteristics.
Example Question #1 : Light And Electromagnetic Waves
A microwave has a frequency of 
We need to know the wavelengths to be able to solve
They have the same speed
The microwave
We need to know the magnitude of the frequencies to solve
The gamma ray
They have the same speed
Both of these waves are on the electromagnetic spectrum. Any wave on the spectrum will have the same speed, the speed of light.
Radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, and gamma rays are all on the spectrum. They all have the same ultimate speed, but vary in their wavelengths, frequencies, and energy levels.
Example Question #1 : Light And Electromagnetic Waves
The frequency of a particular photon of infrared light is 
The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity is:
In this case, because infrared light is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, we would use 
We are given the speed of light and the frequency of the photon. Using these values, we can solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #1 : Understanding The Electromagnetic Spectrum
An electromagnetic wave travels with a frequency of 
The relationship between velocity, frequency, and wavelength of a waveform is given by the formula:
In this case, we are dealing with an electromagnetic wave. All electromagnetic waves travel at the same velocity: the speed of light.
Using this value and the given frequency of the wave, we can solve for the wavelength.
Wavelength is traditionally reported in nanometers, corresponding to 
Example Question #1 : Light And Electromagnetic Waves
Radio waves and X-rays are both on the electromagnetic spectrum. Which of the following statements is true?
None of these are true
Both waves travel at the same speed
Both waves have the same wavelength
Both waves have the same frequency
Both waves have the same period
Both waves travel at the same speed
Any wave on the electromagnetic spectrum will travel at the same constant speed, the speed of light. Each type of wave is determined by changes in the frequency, wavelength, and energy, but these factors always reflect a constant velocity. The types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. Radio waves will have the largest wavelength, smallest frequency, and lowest energy. Gamma rays will have the smallest wavelength, highest frequency, and greatest energy.
The inverse relationship between frequency and wavelength means that the velocity can remain constant.
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