The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 1. Which waves have some electrical properties and some magnetic properties?
a. longitudinal waves c. mechanical waves
b. transverse waves d. electromagnetic waves
____ 2. Electromagnetic waves can transfer energy without a(n)
a. medium. c. magnetic field.
b. electric field. d. change in either a magnetic or an electric field.
____ 3. In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves have the same
a. wavelength. c. speed.
b. frequency. d. amplitude.
____ 5. Visible light has a higher frequency than
a. X-rays. c. infrared rays.
b. ultraviolet rays. d. gamma rays.
____ 6. The range of electromagnetic waves placed in a certain order is called the
a. electromagnetic spectrum. c. electromagnetic frequency.
b. electromagnetic wavelength. d. electromagnetic field.
____ 7. The electromagnetic waves with the highest frequencies are called
a. radio waves. c. X-rays.
b. gamma rays. d. visible light.
____ 8. When a police officer uses radar for speed control, the officer is using what kind of electromagnetic waves?
a. radio waves c. ultraviolet rays
b. gamma rays d. X-rays
____ 9. Visible light can be separated into various colors to form a(n)
a. spectrum. c. MRI.
b. thermogram. d. X-ray picture.
____ 14. What kind of waves do cellular telephones use to transmit and receive signals?
a. gamma rays c. ultraviolet rays
b. microwaves d. infrared rays
____ 15. Broadcasting stations can send their signals around the world using
a. cellular telephones. c. pagers.
b. television satellites. d. the Global Positioning System.
____ 16. Global Positioning System signals can tell you
a. what television station you are tuned to. c. how many satellites are in orbit.
b. your exact location on Earth. d. who is sending a message to your pager.
____ 17. What is transferred by electromagnetic waves?
a. sound c. electromagnetic radiation
b. electricity d. resonance
____ 20. Which electromagnetic waves have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies?
a. infrared waves c. ultraviolet rays
b. radio waves d. gamma rays
____ 23. The images made by an infrared camera are called
a. X-rays. c. magnetic resonance images.
b. thermograms. d. ultraviolet images.
____ 24. Which of the following is true of ultraviolet rays?
a. They are visible. c. They help your body produce vitamin D.
b. They carry information to televisions and radios. d. They provide the energy that makes your toast.
____ 25. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was originally designed for use by
a. hikers and campers. c. the military.
b. the transportation industry. d. radio and television stations.
____ 27. A packet of light energy is called a
a. wavicle. c. wave.
b. photon. d. photoelectron.
____ 28. The speed of an electromagnetic wave is equal to
a. wavelength plus frequency. d. frequency divided by wavelength.
b. wavelength times frequency.
c. wavelength divided by frequency.
____ 30. Cell phone signals are transmitted by
a. radio waves. c. ultraviolet rays.
b. infrared rays. d. X-rays.

Completion
Complete each sentence or statement.

41. Energy that is transferred by electromagnetic waves is transferred through ___________________.

42. In electromagnetic waves, the magnetic fields are ____________________ to the electric fields.

45. The ____________________ rays in sunlight can cause sunburn.

46. The radio waves with the shortest wavelengths and the highest frequencies are called
____________________.
47. Red light has the longest ____________________ of any color of visible light.

48. The part of the electromagnetic spectrum you can see is called ____________________ light.

49. The electromagnetic waves that have the lowest frequencies are called ________________.

50. ______________________ are used to make images of bones inside the human body.

51. A thermogram identifies the warm and cool parts of an object by using ____________________.

59. An electromagnetic wave consists of changing electric and magnetic ____________________.

Short Answer

Use the diagram to answer each question.

61. Name the type of wave that has the highest frequency.

62. Name the type of wave labeled C.

63. Name the type of wave that has the greatest energy.

64. Which letter shows the type of wave that can be seen by the human eye?

65. Name the type of wave labeled A.

66. Which letter indicates X-rays?

Essay

75. Contrast the properties of visible light, ultraviolet rays, and X-rays.
76. What properties of gamma rays make them useful in medicine? Explain.
Sample EM test
Answer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. ANS: D DIF: L2 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1

STO: 5.7.B.2
2. ANS: A DIF: L2 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1
STO: 5.7.B.2
3. ANS: B DIF: L2 REF: p. O-72 OBJ: O.3.1.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
4. ANS: C DIF: L1 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
5. ANS: C DIF: L2 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
6. ANS: A DIF: L1 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
7. ANS: B DIF: L1 REF: p. O-80 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.2.B.2
8. ANS: A DIF: L2 REF: p. O-76 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.1.B.3, 5.1.A.3
9. ANS: A DIF: L2 REF: p. O-78 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.3.A.1.c
10. ANS: A DIF: L1 REF: p. O-84 OBJ: O.3.3.1
STO: 5.7.B.4, 5.7.B.2
11. ANS: B DIF: L1 REF: p. O-86 OBJ: O.3.3.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.6.B.2
12. ANS: C DIF: L3 REF: p. O-92 OBJ: O.3.4.1
STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
13. ANS: C DIF: L2 REF: p. O-91 OBJ: O.3.4.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2
14. ANS: B DIF: L1 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2
STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
15. ANS: B DIF: L2 REF: p. O-95 OBJ: O.3.4.3
STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
16. ANS: B DIF: L2 REF: p. O-96 OBJ: O.3.4.3
STO: 5.1.B.3
17. ANS: C DIF: L1 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1
STO: 5.7.B.2
18. ANS: B DIF: L3 REF: p. O-72 OBJ: O.3.1.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
19. ANS: C DIF: L2 REF: p. O-87 OBJ: O.3.3.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.6.B.2
20. ANS: B DIF: L1 REF: p. O-76 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.1.B.3, 5.1.A.3
21. ANS: C DIF: L2 REF: p. O-91 OBJ: O.3.4.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2
22. ANS: C DIF: L3 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2
 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
23. ANS: B DIF: L2 REF: p. O-77 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
24. ANS: C DIF: L2 REF: p. O-78 OBJ: O.3.2.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.3.A.1.c
25. ANS: C DIF: L1 REF: p. O-96 OBJ: O.3.4.3
STO: 5.1.B.3
26. ANS: B DIF: L1 REF: p. O-84 OBJ: O.3.3.1
STO: 5.7.B.4, 5.7.B.2
27. ANS: B DIF: L1 REF: p. O-73 OBJ: O.3.1.2
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.A.3, 5.1.B.3
28. ANS: B DIF: L2 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.1
STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
29. ANS: C DIF: L1 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2
STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
30. ANS: A DIF: L2 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2
STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE

31. ANS: F, transverse

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1 STO: 5.7.B.2

32. ANS: T DIF: L1 REF: p. O-72
OBJ: O.3.1.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4
33. ANS: F, lowest

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

34. ANS: T DIF: L1 REF: p. O-78
OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.3.A.1.c
35. ANS: F, infrared rays

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-77 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

36. ANS: F, solid

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-86 OBJ: O.3.3.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.6.B.2

37. ANS: F
radio waves
microwaves

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

38. ANS: T DIF: L2 REF: p. O-94
OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
39. ANS: T DIF: L1 REF: p. O-90
OBJ: O.3.4.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2
40. ANS: F, Amplitude

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-91 OBJ: O.3.4.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2

COMPLETION

41. ANS: radiation

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1 STO: 5.7.B.2

42. ANS:
at right angles
perpendicular

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1 STO: 5.7.B.2

43. ANS: photoelectric

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-73 OBJ: O.3.1.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.A.3, 5.1.B.3

44. ANS: 90

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-72 OBJ: O.3.1.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

45. ANS: ultraviolet

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-78 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.3.A.1.c

46. ANS: microwaves

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-76 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.1.B.3, 5.1.A.3

47. ANS: wavelength

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-78 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.3.A.1.c

48. ANS: visible

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

49. ANS: radio waves

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-76 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.1.B.3, 5.1.A.3

50. ANS:
X-rays
X rays

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-79 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2, 5.7.B.4

51. ANS: infrared rays

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-77 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

52. ANS: infrared rays

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-85 OBJ: O.3.3.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

53. ANS: current

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-87 OBJ: O.3.3.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.6.B.2

54. ANS: amplitude

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-91 OBJ: O.3.4.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2

 55. ANS: antennas

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-90 OBJ: O.3.4.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2

56. ANS: towers

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

57. ANS: Communications

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-94 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

58. ANS:
four
4

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-96 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.1.B.3

59. ANS: fields

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-71 OBJ: O.3.1.1 STO: 5.7.B.2

60. ANS: cells

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

SHORT ANSWER

61. ANS:
gamma rays

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

62. ANS:
ultraviolet rays

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

63. ANS:
gamma rays

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-80 OBJ: O.3.2.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.2.B.2

64. ANS:
B

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

65. ANS:
infrared rays

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

66. ANS:
D

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-75 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4

67. ANS:
B
 DIF: L1 REF: p. O-95 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2
68. ANS:
C

DIF: L1 REF: p. O-95 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

69. ANS:
communications satellite

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-95 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

70. ANS:
It receives radio, television, and telephone signals from Earth.

DIF: L2 REF: p. O-94 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

71. ANS:
The satellite relays signals it receives from Earth back to other receivers on Earth.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-94 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

72. ANS:
The waves are blocked by the curvature of Earth.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-91, p. O-95 OBJ: O.3.4.3

STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2, 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1

ESSAY

73. ANS:
Moon. The moon is an illuminated object, which reflects light. A star, candle flame, and glowing light bulb
filament are luminous objects, which produce light.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-84 OBJ: O.3.3.1 STO: 5.7.B.4, 5.7.B.2

74. ANS:
Light can be described as made up of a stream of particles called photons, but also as an electromagnetic
wave. Light acts like a stream of particles in the photoelectric effect, when it can cause electrons to move,
producing electric current. But polarizing filters can show how light also acts like a wave. When light passes
through a polarizing filter, only the waves that vibrate perpendicular to the filter pass through. Both the
particle model and the wave model are necessary to explain all the properties of electromagnetic radiation.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-72, p. O-73 OBJ: O.3.1.2

STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.2.A.3, 5.1.B.3
75. ANS:
Visible light, ultraviolet rays, and X-rays are all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, and travel at the same
speed. Humans can see visible light, but not ultraviolet rays or X-rays. Ultraviolet rays have shorter
wavelengths, higher frequencies, and higher energy than visible light. X-rays have shorter wavelengths,
higher frequencies, and higher energy than ultraviolet rays.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-75, p. O-78, p. O-79 OBJ: O.3.2.1

STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.3.A.1.c, 5.2.B.2
76. ANS:
 Gamma rays have the highest energy of all the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are the most
penetrating waves because of their energy. Gamma rays can be used to kill cancer cells in radiation therapy.
Gamma rays can also be used to examine the body’s internal structures. For example, a patient can be injected
with a fluid that emits gamma rays. A gamma-ray detector can then form an image of the inside of the body.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-80 OBJ: O.3.2.2 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.2.B.2

77. ANS:
In a fluorescent bulb, an electric current passes through a gas in the bulb, causing the gas to emit ultraviolet
rays. The ultraviolet rays hit a powder that coats the inside of the bulb, which causes the coating to emit
visible light. In an incandescent light bulb, an electric current passes through and heats a thin wire filament
made of tungsten. The filament then glows white, emitting all colors of visible light.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-85, p. O-86 OBJ: O.3.3.1

STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.7.B.4, 5.6.B.2
78. ANS:
AM. The ionosphere layer of Earth’s atmosphere reflects transmitted AM waves back toward Earth, so that
they can travel to points around the curvature of Earth. For that reason, the broadcast of AM waves can reach
great distances. FM waves more readily pass through the ionosphere because they have higher frequencies
and more energy than AM waves. They are not reflected back toward Earth and thus cannot reach points
around Earth’s curvature.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-91 OBJ: O.3.4.1 STO: 5.7.B.2, 5.2.B.2

79. ANS:
Cellular telephones transmit signals using high-frequency radio waves, called microwaves. The signals go to a
nearby tower. The signals are then sent to a central hub, which acts as a switching station. The signals are sent
on to a tower close to the receiving cellular phone.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-93 OBJ: O.3.4.2 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2

80. ANS:
Television networks use communications satellites to send their signals to local stations around the world. The
television signals are changed into radio waves. Some people can receive signals directly from a satellite by
using dish-shaped antennas called satellite dishes.

DIF: L3 REF: p. O-95 OBJ: O.3.4.3 STO: 5.8.D.1, 5.2.B.1, 5.2.B.2