Astronomy Ch 5

Consider the following discussion between two students about the different properties of light. Student 1: I think I get how light works. If you look at the chart of the electromagnetic spectrum, it shows that light with a higher frequency will also have a long wavelength. But it all has the same speed. Student 2: I disagree. If one type of light has a lot energy and a high frequency, it will have a faster speed than light has a lower energy and a low frequency. Do you agree or disagree with either or both of the students? Explain.

I disagree with Student 1 in their thinking that a light with a higher frequency will have a longer wavelength, as it will actually have a shorter wavelength. I do agree with Student 1, thought, that all light travels at the same speed. I disagree with Student 2 because all light travels at the same speed.

Another property of light is the energy. Which of the following has the greatest energy?

Gamma rays have the most energy per photon of light.

The visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum of light is often subdivided into the colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (sometimes referred to as ROY G BIV). Using the words greatest, least, highest, lowest, fastest, slowest, longest, and shortest, write a sentence or two that describes how light at the red end of the spectrum and light at the violet end of the visible light portion of the spectrum compare in terms of their energy, frequency, speed and wavelength.

Light at the red end of the visible portion has the least energy, lowest frequency, same speed, and longer wavelength compared to the violet end.

Complete the following sentence describing the relationship between the energy, frequency, and wavelength of light using the words highest, lowest, longest, and / or shortest. The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum of light with the greatest energy has the ____________ frequency and the ______________ wavelengths.

highest, shortest

The electromagnetic spectrum of light can also be arranged in terms of wavelengths. Which one of the following has the longest wavelength?

radio waves have the longest wavelength