Name Date Class

Content Vocabulary LESSON 2

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Directions: Complete the concept map below by choosing terms from the word bank and writing them in the
correct spaces. NOTE: You may need to change a term to its plural form.

bone color communication gamma ray

infrared wave radio wave remote control skin cancer
star ultraviolet wave

Electromagnetic Spectrum
Lowest
Frequency

1. These waves are often used for

communication devices.

microwaves 2. These waves are often used for

and to cook food in microwave ovens.

3. 4. These waves can be sensed as warmth.

They are used in technologies such as

light waves 5. These waves include the

that your eyes can see.

6. 7. These waves can cause sunburn and

X-rays 8. These waves can pass through skin and

muscle and are used medically to check
for broken

9. 10. These very high-energy waves can kill

cells. They form when atoms break
apart during events such as the
Highest explosion of
Frequency

Electromagnetic Waves 27
Name Date Class

Key Concept Builder LESSON 2

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Key Concept How do electromagnetic waves differ?
Directions: Use the diagram to answer each question or respond to each statement on the lines provided.

1. Of the three electromagnetic waves listed, which one has the longest
wavelength?

2. Which electromagnetic wave shown in the diagram has the highest

frequency?

3. Explain the relationship among wavelength, frequency, and energy.

Directions: Complete the chart with the correct information in the space provided.

Electromagnetic Wave Wavelength Uses

Radio wave

Microwave

Infrared wave

Electromagnetic Waves 35
Name Date Class

Key Concept Builder LESSON 2

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Key Concept How do electromagnetic waves differ?
Directions: Unscramble the terms. Then complete the chart by writing the unscrambled term that matches each
description. Each term is used only once.
ary x ayr ammag diora ewav ightl avew
violutralet icrmoavew redifnra

1. • This wave can pass through skin and muscle.

• Scientists learn about objects and events
in space, such as black holes and star
explosions, by studying these waves.
2. • These are waves your eyes can see.
• They might be described as red, orange,
yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
• Each name represents a family of colors,
each with a range of wavelengths.
3. • Vibrating molecules in any matter emit
these waves.
• Your skin senses waves that have longer
wavelengths as warmth.

4. • This wave is less often scattered by

particles in the air.
• It is useful for satellite communication.
• It is used with a cell phone.

5. • This wave can carry enough energy to

penetrate the skin.
• It can damage or kill cells, causing
sunburn or skin cancer.

6. • Wavelengths are long enough to move

around many objects.
• Its energy is low enough that the waves
aren’t harmful.
• On Earth, they’re usually produced by an
electric charge moving in an antenna.
7. • These waves have enough energy that
physicians can use them to destroy
cancerous cells.
• They form in space during violent events
such as the explosion of stars.

36 Electromagnetic Waves
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Lesson Outline LESSON 2

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

A. What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
1. The changing motion of a(n) produces each type of
electromagnetic wave.
2. The entire range of electromagnetic waves that have different
and wavelengths is the .
B. Classifying Electromagnetic Waves
1. The electromagnetic spectrum is organized into different
based on the wavelengths and frequencies of the waves.
2. waves have low frequency and low
, which is low enough that the waves are not harmful.

a. Each wave has a wavelength longer than , which is

often long enough to move around objects.
b. On Earth, radio waves are usually produced by
moving in a(n) .
3. A microwave has frequency and low energy.
a. The wavelength of a microwave is between
and .
b. Microwaves are useful for communication, including
cell phones.

c. They are also useful for because food molecules

absorb their energy.
4. A(n) wave has a wavelength shorter than a(n)
but longer than .
a. molecules in any matter emit infrared waves.

b. You cannot see infrared waves, but you can them,

such as the warmth of a campfire.
c. Your television remote sends out waves.

28 Electromagnetic Waves
Name Date Class

Lesson Outline continued

5. Your eyes can see .

a. The colors of light range from , which has the

longest wavelength and the frequency, to
, which has the shortest wavelength and the
frequency.

b. Each color name represents a(n) of colors.

6. A(n) has a slightly

wavelength and frequency than light.

a. Ultraviolet waves carry enough energy to cause .

b. Earth’s prevents most of the Sun’s

waves from reaching Earth.

c. Ultraviolet waves have enough energy to penetrate

and damage or kill .

7. A(n) has a slightly shorter wavelength and

frequency than an ultraviolet wave.

a. X-rays have enough energy to pass through skin and ,

but the in bones stop these rays.

b. Scientists learn about objects in by studying the

X-rays they emit.
8. A(n) ray has a slightly shorter wavelength and
frequency than all other types of electromagnetic
waves.
a. Gamma rays form when the of an atom breaks apart.
b. Gamma rays have enough to destroy cells.
c. These rays are also formed in during violent events.

Electromagnetic Waves 29
Name Date Class

Content Practice A LESSON 2

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is
used only once.

1. a low-frequency, low-energy electromagnetic wave A. electromagnetic

that has a wavelength between about 1 mm and spectrum
30 cm
B. radio wave
2. a high-energy electromagnetic wave that has a
slightly shorter wavelength and higher frequency C. microwave
than an ultraviolet wave
D. infrared wave
3. a low-frequency, low-energy electromagnetic wave
that has a wavelength longer than about 30 cm E. ultraviolet wave

4. an electromagnetic wave that has a wavelength F. X-ray

that is shorter than a microwave but longer than
a light wave G. gamma ray

5. an electromagnetic wave that has a slightly

shorter wavelength and higher frequency than a
light wave and carries enough energy to cause
chemical reactions

6. a high-frequency electromagnetic wave that has a

shorter wavelength and higher frequency than all
other types of electromagnetic waves

7. the entire range of electromagnetic waves that

have different frequencies and wavelengths