Wave Basics
This is the highest point of a wave.
Crest
These waves travel at the speed of light and do not require a medium.
Electromagnetic Waves
A microwave oven uses this type of electromagnetic wave to heat food.
Microwaves
This is the distance from one crest to the next crest.
Wavelength
This is the only type of electromagnetic wave humans can see.
Visible light
This device uses radio waves to tune into music stations.
Radio
This type of wave needs a medium, like air or water, to travel.
Mechanical Wave
These waves give us sunburns and are blocked by sunscreen.
Ultraviolet waves
How do scientists use the electromagnetic spectrum to study space?
By comparing light profiles of different elements to learn what space objects are made of.
This is the number of waves that pass a point in one second.
Frequency
These waves have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Radio waves
These waves allow astronomers to see heat coming from planets and stars, even when they are too cool to glow with visible light.
Infrared Waves
When a wave bounces off a surface, this phenomenon occurs.
Reflection
These waves have the highest energy.
Gamma Rays
How long does it take light from the sun to get to earth?
About 8.5 minutes