Question

Consider the following:

a) radio waves emitted by a weather radar system to detect raindrops and ice crystals in the atmosphere to study weather patterns;
b) microwaves used in communication satellite transmissions;
c) infrared waves that are perceived as heat when you turn on a burner on an electric stove;
d) the multicolor light in a rainbow;
e) the ultraviolet solar radiation that reaches the surface of the earth and causes unprotected skin to burn; and
f) X rays used in medicine for diagnostic imaging.

Answer 1

The student's question involves different aspects of electromagnetic radiation and its applications, including radio waves in weather systems, microwaves in satellite communications, infrared heat from stoves, visible light in rainbows, UV solar radiation effects on the skin, and X-rays for medical imaging.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Electromagnetic Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation encompasses a broad spectrum of waves, each with its unique wavelength and energy levels. These include radio waves, which are utilized by weather radar systems for detecting raindrops and ice crystals; microwaves used in communication satellites and cooking; infrared radiation (IR) that we perceive as heat from an electric stove burner; visible light that creates the multicolored display of a rainbow; ultraviolet radiation (UV) that has the potential to cause skin burns when it reaches Earth's surface; and X-rays employed in medical imaging. The diversity of these waves forms the basis of numerous technological applications, such as cell phone communication, WiFi, medical diagnostics, and even the understanding of chemical properties and reactions.

The electromagnetic spectrum classifies these waves from long wavelengths and low energy to short wavelengths with high energy. Radio waves, for example, are on the longer wavelength end of the spectrum, while X-rays and gamma rays lie on the opposite end with much shorter wavelengths and hence more energy. This energy can be harnessed in a variety of ways; for instance, weather radars use the principle of radiation pressure to study weather patterns, and the understanding of thermal agitation gives insight into how molecules many emit or absorb radiation.

Answer 2

They have different wavelengths.

They have different frequencies.

They propagate at different speeds through non-vacuum media depending on both their frequency and the material in which they travel.

Step-by-step explanation:

The complete question is

Consider the following:

a) radio waves emitted by a weather radar system to detect raindrops and ice crystals in the atmosphere to study weather patterns;

b) microwaves used in communication satellite transmissions;

c) infrared waves that are perceived as heat when you turn on a burner on an electric stove;

d) the multicolor light in a rainbow;

e) the ultraviolet solar radiation that reaches the surface of the earth and causes unprotected skin to burn; and

f) X rays used in medicine for diagnostic imaging.

Which of the following statements correctly describe the various forms of EM radiation listed above?

check all that apply to the above

They have different wavelengths.

They have different frequencies.

They propagate at different speeds through a vacuum depending on their frequency.

They propagate at different speeds through non-vacuum media depending on both their frequency and the material in which they travel.

They require different media to propagate.

All the above phenomena are due the electromagnetic wave spectrum. Electromagnetic waves travel at a constant speed of 3 x 10^8 m/s in a vacuum. Within the spectrum, the different types of electromagnetic waves exists in different band range of frequencies and wavelengths unique to each of the waves, and the energy they carry. When these waves enter a non-vacuum medium, their speed change, depending on the nature of the material of the medium, and the frequency or the wavelength of the incoming wave.