Introduction
Hello and welcome. This webquest is going to be focusing on the different types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, their purposes in modern day things, and the affects they have on our daily lives. Lightyears and what their purpose and length in miles will also be described.
Task
Evaluate the information about the information in the webquest. Use the chart to help determine where the different waves are located in the elctromagnetic spectrum. Know what unit is used to measure distance in space as well as how long in miles it is. Keep in mind the different waves and their order on the E-M, their lengths, their purposes, and which ones are visible to the human eye.
Process
Lightyears are the astronomical unit that is used to measure distance in space. It is the distance that light travels in a year, which is about 6 trillion miles. Light travels at about 300,00 km per second.
Radio waves are the lowest frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, and are used mainly for communications. Radio waves are made by various types of transmitter.
Micro waves are basically extremely high frequency radio waves, and are made by various types of transmitter. Different devices such as cell phones, radar guns, microwaves (duh), and traffic speed cameras. Microwaves heat up molecules by causing them to vibrate, eventually making them hot.
Infrared waves are just below visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. Infra red waves are given off by stars, lamps, flames, and anything else that’s warm. Infra red waves are typically thought of as heat waves.
Visible light is the small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes can see. Light waves are given off by anything that is hot enough to glow. Light is made up of a bunch of colors that are mixed together. When white is passed through a prism and all of the colors can be seen, this is called dispersion. Dispersion also allows us to determine what some stars are made of by looking at the mixture of wavelengths in the light.
Ultra violet light can be made by special lamps and is given off in large quantities by the sun. It can be used for tanning beds, detecting forged bank notes, sterilizing, and product vitamin d for the body.
X rays are very high frequency waves and carry a lot of energy. They can be given off by stars and used to see inside people.
Gamma rays are the highest frequency wave and can be given off by stars and some radioactive substances. Like x rays, they carry large amounts of energy. They can be used to kill cancer cells. Gamma rays are very dangerous and hard to stop without the assistance of an object such as a concrete wall.
Evaluation
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- What kind of electromagnetic radiation has the shortest wavelength? The longest?
- What kind of electromagnetic radiation could be used to "see" molecules? A cold virus?
- Why can't you use visible light to "see" molecules?
- Some insects can see light of shorter wavelengths than humans can see. What kind of radiation do you think a bee sees?
Evaluate these questions based on the chart provided about the electromagnetic specrtum.
Conclusion
The electromagnetic spectrum has many different types of waves that all have different purposes and effects on people and the universe. The waves can be used for good purposes but can cause harm when not used appropriately or not handled with care. The different types of waves can be as large as a football field or smaller than a molecule. Who knew there were so many different types of waves that our eyes cant see!