Natural Science - Year II
Unit 52: Maxwell and Electromagnetic Radiation
Science Weblecture for Unit 52
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Science Lecture for Unit 52: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
For Class
- Topic area: Physics: Light and Radiation
- Terms and concepts to know: Wavelength, frequency, speed of light, electromagnetic spectrum
- See historical period(s): 19th century
Outline/Summary
Electromagnetic Radiation
We've seen how Thomas Young's experiments showed that light had wave properties, and we've looked at the electromagnetic spectrum. So this time we'll concentrate on how the electrical and magnetic fields interact to produce that light wave.
Waves and Light
Please read the introduction, electric and magnetic fields, properties of light, and production of light pages at the Electromagnetic Radiation section of Nick Strobel's Astronomy Notes site. Understanding how light is produced and travels through space is of the utmost importance to astronomers.
- Can you answer the review questions on the Properties of Light page?
Study/Discussion Questions
- What is elegance in science? How does a quest for simple explanations affect the way we select theories?
Further Study On your Own (Optional)
- No optional websites this time.
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