Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Paranaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Science 10 Quarter 2 Week 2
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

Compare the relative wavelengths of different forms of electromagnetic waves. (S10-FE-IIa-

b47)

Objectives
▪ Define electromagnetic waves.
Solve problems involving wavelength, frequency, and energy of an EM
wave.
• Describe the transmission and propagation of electromagnetic waves.
▪ Discuss the properties of EM waves.

Introduction
You are about to explore the unknown world EM spectrum. You can be really amazed
on the different types of electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, and examples.
Electromagnetic wave is a disturbance in a field that carries energy and does not require
a medium to travel. Electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of electromagnetic waves that
are arranged according to their frequency and wavelength.

Let’s Recall

I. Directions: Identify the terms being described in the given statements. Choose your answer
from the box and write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

CLUES:
wavelength 3 X 10 8 m/s frequency
vacuum invisible waves

1. Most EM ______ are invisible and undetectable.

2. EM waves transfer energy through a ________.
3. The speed of light is equal to _________m/s.
4. Hertz is the unit used to measure the __________ of waves.
5. As the ___________ decreases, the frequency of the wave increases.

II. Directions: Identify the following parts of a wave using the given choices
below. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Choices: amplitude, wavelength, crest, trough
1. The highest point of a wave.
2. The lowest point of a wave.
3. The distance between the crest and the midpoint of a wave.
4. The distance between the two successive crests or trough.
 Let’s Understand

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum (EM Spectrum) is a continuum of electromagnetic

waves that are arranged according to frequency and wavelength. It is a gradual progression
from the waves of lowest frequencies to the waves of highest frequencies. The EM spectrum
includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
These waves do not have sharp boundaries.
The fundamental unit of electromagnetic waves is the photon. A photon has no mass
and can travel faster than anything else in a vacuum at a speed of 3 x 10 8 m/s.
In terms of wave propagation (the way in each travel), all electromagnetic waves are
transverse waves. Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy
transfer.

Direction of travel

One
wavelength

Figure 1. Transverse wave

Source: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=transverse+wave

Figure 2. EM Spectrum
Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=electromagnetic+spectrum&source

The Electric and Magnetic Fields Together

Accelerating electrons produce electromagnetic waves. These waves are a
combination of electric and magnetic fields. A changing magnetic field produces an electric
field and a changing electric field produce a magnetic field with an accelerated electron
produces an electric field of a wave. The electric field produces the wave’s magnetic field.
Both the electric field and the magnetic field oscillate perpendicular to each other and to
direction of the propagating wave.

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 Figure 3. Electromagnetic Wave
Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=equation+of+electromagnetic+waves

All EM waves can travel through a medium but unlike other types of waves, they can
also travel in vacuum. They travel in vacuum at a speed of light (3 x 10 8 m/s).
The wave speed, frequency, and wavelength are related in the following equation.
𝑣 = 𝑐 = 𝜆𝑓
𝑓 = 𝑣/𝜆
𝜆 = 𝑣/𝑓

Wherein: c - speed of light (3 X 10 8 m/s) f -frequency (cycle/sec) or Hz)

v- velocity (m/s) λ - wavelength (m)

SAMPLE PROBLEM:

1. (Assume that the waves propagate in a vacuum.) What is the

frequency of radio waves with wavelength of 20 m?

Given (G): What is known quantity?

v = c = 3 x 10 8 m/s λ =20 m
Required (R): What is an unknown quantity?
f=?
Equation (E): What is the formula?
f=v/λ
Solution (S): How do you solve the problem? What mathematical
operations involve?
f = 3 x 10 8 m/s
20 m
Answer:(A): What is your answer?
f = 1.5 x 10 7 Hz

Try to solve this problem.

2. What is the frequency of light waves with wavelength of 5 X 10 -7 m?
(Answer: 6 X 10 14 Hz)

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 Let’s Apply
Directions: Read and study the problem below. Follow GRESA in solving the
problem. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Equations:
v = c = λf
f = v/λ
λ = v/f

1.What is the frequency of the following:

a. microwaves with wavelength 30 m?
b. x-ray with a wavelength of 10 m?
2.What is the wavelength of the following?
a. visible light with frequency of 3.5 x 1014 Hz?
b. infrared wave with frequency of 4.0 x 1014 Hz?

Let’s Analyze

Directions: Study and analyze figure1.Copy and complete Table 2 on a separate sheet of
paper. Classify the examples of EM waves.

Figure 1. Wavestown
Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=wavestown &hl=en&tbm=isch&source

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 Table 2. Example of EM Wave and its Type
Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=wavestown &hl=en&tbm=isch&source

Letters in Types of EM wave Placed Used

waves
town

A 1.Visible Rainbow
B 2. Radio tower on Ray’s TV
C 3. Televisions /remotes use infrared
D 4. Radio in Taxi
E 5. Photograph/light
F 6. Microwave oven
G 7. Heat lamps
H 8. Tanning bed/also sun lotion block UV
I 9. Sunglasses block UV
J 10. Nuclear Medicine
K 11. Study bones
L 12. Plants give off infrared
M 13. Satellite dish
N 14. radio Tower
O 15. Observatory
P 16. Waves grill sign

Let’s Try

I. Directions: Study and analyze Table 3 and answer the questions that follows.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Table 3. Electromagnetic Wavelengths and Energies

Source: Science 10 Learners Module pp. 149

EM Waves Wavelength (m) Energy (J)

Gamma <1 x 10- 11 > 2 x 10-24
Ray
X-ray 1 x 10- 11 – 1 x 10 - 8 2 x 10 -17- 2 x 10 -14
Ultraviolet 1 x 10 -8 – 4 x 10 - 7 5 x 10 -19- 2 x 10 -17
Visible light 4 x 10- 7 – 7 x 10 - 7 3 x 10 -19 - 5 x 10 -19
Infrared 7 x 10- 7 – 1 x 10 - 3 2 x 10 -22 - 3 x 10 -19
waves
Microwaves 1 x 10- 3 – 1 x 10 - 1 2x 10 -24 - 2x 10 -22
Radio > 1 x 10 -1 2 x 10 -24
waves

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 1. Which EM wave has the highest energy?
2. Which EM wave has the shortest wavelength?
3. Which EM wave has the second shortest wavelength?
4. Which EM wave has the longest wavelength?
5. Which EM wave has the lowest energy?
6. Which EM wave is between infrared waves and radio waves?
7. Which EM waves has a wavelength from 3 X 10 -19 Joule to 5 X 10 -19 Joule?
8. Which EM wave is between ultraviolet and infrared?
9. Which EM wave has a frequency from 1 X 10 -3 Hz to 1 x 10 -1 Hz?
10. Which EM wave carries frequency of < 1 x 10 -11 meter?

II. Directions: Solve the given problems about EM waves. Show your solution using GRESA.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Equations:
v = c = λf
f = v/λ
λ = v/f

1.What is the frequency of the following waves:

a. microwave with a wavelength 70 m?
b. x-ray with a wavelength of 20 m?
c. radio wave with a wavelength of 30m?

2.What is the wavelength of the following waves?

a. visible light with frequency of 8 .5 x 1014 Hz?
b. infrared wave with frequency of 4.0 x 1011 Hz?
c. ultraviolet ray with frequency of 2 X 1016 Hz?

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 Let’ Create

Goal: Design a geographic map of an EM wave and its types.

Role: As a student you will develop a geographic map of EM wave and its
type with corresponding information.

Audience: Student, teacher, and parent /guardian.

Situation: You are to be informed by your teacher about the summary of

the lesson in EM wave with different information.

Product: Informative materials is about the summary of EM waves and its

types in the form of geographic map. Design your own geo-map.

Standards: You will do this for 2 days to conceptualize the EM waves and
its types. Once you finished you may submit it to your teacher and be assessed
according to the rubric.

Criteria Points
1.Details and 1 pt- Failed to accomplish the concepts and ideas.
Information 2 pts- Incomplete concepts and ideas.
3 pts- Complete concepts and ideas.
2.Presentation of 1 pt- Not giving evidence in reporting the output.
Geographic Map 2 pts- Incomplete evidence in reporting the output.
3 pts- Complete evidence in reporting the output.
3.Completeness 1 pt- Failed to complete the output.
and Creativity 2 pts-Incomplete data in the presentation of the output.
3 pts- Complete data and accurate in presenting
the output.

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 Definition

Type and example

Mathematical equation

Importance
Characteristics

Rubric for the Geographic Map of EM wave

Scoring Guide: 3 pts= 100 % 2 pts= 95% 1 pt. = 85%

References
(n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/search?q=equation+of+electromagnetic+waves
www.google.com/search?q=equation+of+electromagnetic+waves. (n.d.).
Ostdiek. (2012). The World Physics Engage Learning Asia. PTE LTD.
Science Learner's Material K to 12, G. 1. (n.d.).
Science Teacher's Guide K to 12. (n.d.).