Review notes for science
ELECTRO MAGNETICS
Electromagnetic wave is a disturbance in a field that carries energy and does
not require a medium to transfer/travel.
Electromagnetic waves are produced by vibrating charges.
Electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum at a speed of 3x108 m/s and denoted as c, the
speed of light. The speed is slightly slower in air, glass, and any other material. To appreciate
just how great this speed is, consider this: Light from the sun travels 150 million kilometers to
Earth in about 8 minutes! Nothing known in the universe travels faster than the speed of light.
Since all EM waves have the same speed which is equal to the speed of light, this means that
as the wavelength decreases, the frequency of the wave increases.
THE PROPONENTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
James Clerk Maxwell (1876), an English scientist who developed a scientific
theory to better explain electromagnetic waves. When Maxwell used this field theory
to assume that light was an electromagnetic wave, and then correctly deduced the
finite velocity of light, it was a powerful logical argument for the existence of the
electromagnetic force field.
Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist who applied Maxwell’s theories to the
production and reception of radio waves. The unit of frequency of a radio wave - one
cycle per second - is named the hertz, in honor of Heinrich Hertz. He proved the
existence of radio waves in the late 1880s. He used two rods that served as a receiver
and a spark gap as the receiving antennae.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is probably best known for his discovery of
electromagnetic induction. His contributions to electrical engineering and
electrochemistry or due to the fact that he was responsible for introducing the concept
of field in physics to describe electromagnetic interaction are enough for him to be
highly recognized. But perhaps, it is not so well known that he had also made
fundamental contributions to the
electromagnetic theory of light.
André-Marie Ampère made the revolutionary discovery that a wire carrying
electric current can attract or repel another wire next to it that’s also carrying electric
current. The attraction is magnetic, but no magnets are necessary for the effect to be
seen.
Hans Christian Oersted
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the electric current of electromagnetic, a Danish physicist and chemist who discovered that in a
wire can deflect a magnetized compass needle, a phenomenon the importance of which was
rapidly recognized and which inspired the development theory. He also discovered that the Earth
was magnetic and theorized that electricity and magnetism were not the same.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF EM WAVE THEORY
1. EM waves can travel through a vacuum.
2. EM waves carry energy.
3. EM waves are transverse wave.
EM Waves: FREQUENCIES AND WAVELENGTHS
The electromagnetic waves (EM) are often arranged in the order of wavelength and
frequency in what is known as the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. The term frequency
describes how many waves per second a wavelength produces. On the other hand, the
wavelength measures the length of an individual wave in meters
The EM spectrum displays the following waves, namely radio waves, microwaves,
infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays at the high-frequency (short
wavelength) end.
Shortest to Longest Wavelength – Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultraviolet, Visible light, infrared,
microwaves, and radio waves
Lowest to High Frequency – Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultra violet,
X-rays, Gamma Rays
Shortest Wavelength: Gamma Rays Lowest Frequency: Radio waves
Longest Wavelength: Radio Waves Highest Frequency: Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays – is an EM wave that is used to treat cancer by directly killing the cancer cells.
Infrared and Ultraviolet rays are pairs of waves lie at the beginning and the end of the visible
light.
Wavelength refers to the distance between two successive parts of a wave.
Colors of Visible Light: Longest wavelength to shortest wavelength – ROYGBIV
The visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum can be seen by humans, animals and
other organisms. This type of light consists of seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo and violet. When all the colors are present at one time, the light is white.
X – RAYS help doctor in diagnosing bone fractures and tumors. Also, it is used to check bags
and luggage as part of airport security.
*note: this is just a review notes! Read your notebook, handouts, and the likes. Thank you!
Microwaves have short wavelengths and are reflected by small objects. This property is used in
radars. RADAR is an acronym of Radio Detection and Ranging. A radar system is consisting of
an antenna, transmitter, and a receiver. The antenna whirls around continuously to scan the
surrounding area. RADAR is used to detect aircrafts and ships.
Radio waves – make cellular phone transmit and receive signals.
Radio waves and microwaves are commonly used for communication.
Infrared – uses thermal imaging technology to capture light emitted as heat by an object in the
field of view.
EM waves used by plants during photosynthesis is Visible Light
An EM wave that causes sunburn is UV rays
Radiation exists all around us, from both natural and manmade sources, and is in two forms:
ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
Radiation is part of our life. Background radiation, coming primarily from natural minerals, is
around us all the time. Fortunately, there are very few situations where an average person is
exposed to uncontrolled sources of radiation above background. Nevertheless, it is wise to be
prepared and know what to do if such a situation arises.
MIRRORS AND LENSES
Mirrors reflect light while Lenses refract light.
Reflection is the bouncing of light when it hits a surface.
There are two laws of reflection:
The angle of incident ray is equal to the angle of reflected ray.
The angle between the normal line and the reflected ray is the angle of reflection.
Two types of reflection:
Specular/Regular Reflection- the reflection of light on smooth surfaces such as mirrors
or calm body of waters.
Diffuse or irregular reflection- reflection of light on rough surfaces such as clothing,
paper, and the asphalt roadway and reflect light in all direction.
The image formed by a plane mirror is Virtual and Upright.
Concave Lens – Diverging lens.
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- thinner in the middle than on the edges
Convex Lens – Converging Lens
- thicker in the middle than on the edges
A real image is generally an inverted image.
A virtual image is generally upright/erect image.
Plane Mirrors – Elevator mirrors, Periscopes, Kaleidoscopes
Curved Mirrors – Side mirrors (Convex Mirror)
- Dental Mirror (Concave Mirror)
- Solar Cooker
Magnifying Glass – Convex Lens
Eyeglasses and Contact Lens – If nearsighted, you need concave lenses.
- if farsighted , you need convex lenses.
Microscope – Biconvex Lenses
Binoculars – simply two telescopes side by side.
An electric motor is a common type of machine that is largely present in the machines that you
have in your house. For example, the electric motor used in an electric fan converse electrical
energy to mechanical energy.
An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy by
applying the principle of electromagnetic induction. Brush is used in direct current generators to
collect the generated power from rotating armature.
Armature is a part of electric motor which rotates as magnetic force produces a turning force.
Commutator – is a rotary electrical switch in certain types of electric motors and electrical
generators that periodically reverses the current direction between the rotor and the external
circuit.
Electromagnetic Induction – refers to the process where electric current is generated in an
electric conductor by moving or charging the magnetic field surrounding it.
*note: this is just a review notes! Read your notebook, handouts, and the likes. Thank you!
