### Electromagnetic Spectrum Summary
The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, which vary in wavelength, frequency, and energy. The spectrum is typically divided into several categories, from longest wavelength to shortest:
1. **Radio Waves**
2. **Microwaves**
3. **Infrared Radiation**
4. **Visible Light**
5. **Ultraviolet Radiation**
6. **X-rays**
7. **Gamma Rays**
### Questions and Answers
1. **Which type of EM radiation has the:**
- **Longest wavelength?** Radio Waves
- **Shortest wavelength?** Gamma Rays
- **Highest energy?** Gamma Rays
- **Lowest frequency?** Radio Waves
2. **One word for each of the following descriptions:**
- **The type of radiation that can travel through flesh, but not through bones. It therefore casts a shadow of bones.** X-rays
- **The type of radiation that causes the skin to become brown.** Ultraviolet
- **Visible light with the longest wavelength.** Red
3. **Using the wave equation \( v = f \lambda \):**
- **Calculate the highest frequency that radio waves can have.**
- The frequency of radio waves can vary widely, but for calculation, let's assume the highest frequency is around \( 300 \, \text{GHz} \) (which corresponds to a wavelength of \( 1 \, \text{mm} \)).
- Using \( v = 3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s} \):
\[
f = \frac{v}{\lambda} = \frac{3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s}}{1 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{m}} = 3 \times 10^{11} \, \text{Hz} \, (or \, 300 \, \text{GHz})
\]
- **Calculate the lowest frequency that gamma rays can have.**
- Gamma rays have very short wavelengths, typically around \( 0.01 \, \text{nm} \) (or \( 1 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{m} \)).
- Using \( v = 3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s} \):
\[
f = \frac{v}{\lambda} = \frac{3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s}}{1 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{m}} = 3 \times 10^{19} \, \text{Hz}
\]
4. **What is the main difference between radio waves and gamma rays?**
- **Radio waves tend to move around objects, while gamma rays tend to move through objects.**
5. **Give a possible explanation for this phenomenon.**
- The difference in behavior can be attributed to their wavelengths. Radio waves have much longer wavelengths, allowing them to diffract around obstacles. In contrast, gamma rays have very short wavelengths, which enable them to penetrate materials more effectively.
6. **What frequencies of light are visible to the human eye?**
- The visible spectrum ranges approximately from \( 400 \, \text{nm} \) (violet) to \( 700 \, \text{nm} \) (red).
7. **Calculate the highest energy associated with X-rays.**
- The energy of a photon can be calculated using the equation \( E = hf \), where \( h = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{J s} \) and \( f \) is the frequency.
- Assuming the highest frequency for X-rays is around \( 10^{19} \, \text{Hz} \):
\[
E = hf = (6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{J s})(10^{19} \, \text{Hz}) = 6.626 \times 10^{-15} \, \text{J}
\]
### Summary of Activities
- Review the electromagnetic spectrum and its properties.
- Perform calculations using the wave equation.
- Understand the implications of different types of EM radiation on health and technology.
- Longest wavelength: Radio Waves
- Shortest wavelength: Gamma Rays
- Highest energy: Gamma Rays
- Lowest frequency: Radio Waves
- Type of radiation that can travel through flesh but not through bones: X-rays
- Type of radiation that causes skin to become brown: Ultraviolet
- Visible light with the longest wavelength: Red
- Highest frequency of radio waves: 300 GHz
- Lowest frequency of gamma rays: 3 x 10^19 Hz
- Main difference between radio waves and gamma rays: Radio waves move around objects, gamma rays move through objects
- Explanation for the phenomenon: Wavelengths of radio waves are longer, allowing them to diffract around obstacles, while gamma rays have shorter wavelengths, enabling them to penetrate materials
- Frequencies of light visible to the human eye: 400 nm to 700 nm
- Highest energy associated with X-rays: 6.626 x 10^-15 J
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