Lesson 1: Electromagnetic Waves

History and Description on the Spectrum Electromagnetic Spectrum

● As EM Waves transfer energy from one place to
● A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy. another. The transfer of that energy is called
Electromagnetic Radiation.
Characteristics of Waves
● Electromagnetic waves are arranged in the order
of wavelength and frequency in what is known as
the electromagnetic spectrum.With
higher-frequency waves having more
electromagnetic vibrations per second and lower
ones having less energy.

a. Radio Waves
- An electromagnetic wave is composed of an
- Have longest wavelengths and the lowest
electric and magnetic wave at right angles to
frequencies as well as the lowest energy. They
each other and to the direction of motion of a
travel easily through the atmosphere and other
wave.
materials.

- The radio was the first technology to use EM

Waves in telecommunication (Ex: Television,
Radio, and Wifi). The EM Waves are received by a
transmitter.

- Sound waves enter a microphone and are

History of Electromagnetic Waves converted to electrical impulses to which is
a. James Clerk Maxwell converted to radio waves via transistor and a
- In 1865, he provided a mathematical theory that radio receiver re-converts it back into sound.
showed the close relationship between all electric - There are two types of Radio Waves. AM (tv
and magnetic phenomena. His equation also signal) and FM (audio). Different radio stations
predicted that EM waves propagate through broadcast radio waves at different amplitudes or
space. frequencies.

- (vibrating field of charged particles makes the - Another use for radio waves is in radio telescopes
electric field and the electric field will create a to capture possible radio emissions of heavenly
vibrating magnetic field) bodies. (Ex: discovery of black hole, possible
signals from extraterrestrial beings)
b. Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-1894)
- German physicist that was first to generate and b. Microwaves
detect EM Waves in a laboratory setting. He also - Compared to radio waves, they have shorter
showed other wave aspects of light. His most wavelengths but have greater frequencies and
important discoveries were during 1887. energy. The two EM waves are similar to each
other, microwaves are given this name because
● The speed of electromagnetic waves is always they are the smaller or “micro” version or radio
the same through a vacuum (3x10^8). When they waves.
are in different mediums, they change speeds
that lead to refraction or the changing of the - Two important technologies that use microwaves
direction of waves. are radar which are used to detect moving
objects and can be used also to detect weather
● Frequency refers to the waves per second a and cellphones to which is a transmitter that acts
wavelength produces. Wavelength however, like one also but it uses microwaves.
measures the length of individual waves in
meters. - Microwaves are also used for heating up food, for
communication of electronics like computers and
● Wavelength and frequency are inversely related mobile phones, and the usage of radio telescopes
so if an electromagnetic wave has high in astronomy to study microwaves emitted from
frequency, then it has low wavelength and vice space.
versa.
c. Infra-Red g. Gamma Rays
- Infra-red was discovered by William Herschel. - Gamma rays have the highest frequencies and
These rays are sometimes called heat waves energies of any EM waves. These rays are
because you can feel it by its presence of heat produced by some radioactive substances as
from the sun, a fire, or a radiator even if you can’t well as by the Sun and other stars.
see it.
- Gamma rays can penetrate the soft and the hard
- Humans cannot see infra-red but with special tissues of the body, killing normal cells and
equipment, we can see them by converting it’s causing cancer cells to develop. If carefully
radiation through visible wavelengths. Some controlled, this destructive power can be
animals however can see infra-red like pit vipers. beneficial.

d. Visible Light - Doctors can also use gamma rays to kill cancer
- Humans can only see a portion of the cells and fight tumors.
electromagnetic spectrum which is visible light. It
allows us to see colors that can be seen with our
sight.

e. Ultra Violet
- Ultraviolet (UV) light has higher frequencies than
visible light, it also carries more energy.

- Waves in this range can damage your skin and

eyes. Sunblock and UV-protection sunglasses are
designed to filter out these frequencies.

- They can also be beneficial. Since it can damage

cells, it can be used to sterilize medical
equipment and food.

- In addition, it can also produce vitamin D which is

essential to good health. It also treats skin
problems and other medical conditions.

- Like infrared light, ultraviolet light is visible to

some animals. Bees and other insects can see
higher frequencies than people can.

f. X-Rays
- X-rays pass easily through the soft tissues of the
body, but many are absorbed by denser matter
such as bone that is why they’re commonly used
to check for abnormalities or problems inside the
body.

- Too much exposure to x-rays can damage tissue.

Even in small doses, repeated exposure to x-rays
can cause cancer over time. When you have your
teeth x-rayed, you usually wear a vest made out
of lead for protection because it blocks
high-frequency radiation.
 ● It would mean that our image or reflection
Lesson 2: Reflection of Light seen in the mirror is horizontally reversed
Convex and Concave Mirrors, Ray Diagramming
compared to our orientation.

● Reflection refers to waves bouncing back when it hits Ray Diagramming:

a surface.

Types of Spherical Mirrors:

● Convex - Spherical surface that bends outward.
● Concave - Spherical surface that bends inwards.

Anatomy of a Curved Mirror:

C - Center of Curvature
F - Focal Point
A - Midpoint of a Mirror
R - Radius
f - Focal Distance

Ways to Describe Distorted Images of Convex

and Concave Mirrors:
L - Location (behind or infront)
O - Orientation (upright or Inverted)
S - Size (smaller, bigger, or same size)
T - Type (real or virtual image)

Law of Reflection:
● According to the law of reflection, the angle of
incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
● The normal line is what divides the incidence and
reflected ray.
● The normal line is also perpendicular to the surface
of the mirror. (forms a 90 degree angle)

Formula for Problem Solving:

Quantitatively Describing:
1 1 1
𝑓
= 𝑑𝑜
+ 𝑑𝑖
ℎ𝑖 𝑑𝑖
Types of Reflection: 𝑀= = −
ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑜
● Specular Reflection - parallel incident rays bounce off
the surface as parallel reflected rays follow the law of
reflection. (smooth surface) (example: mirrors)
● Diffuse Reflection - it also follows the law of reflection
but the parallel incident rays are reflected in different
directions due to the material of the surface being
uneven. (example: wall)

Describing Images Reflected by Mirrors:

Qualitatively Describing
● Plane Mirror (Location: Behind, Orientation:
Upright, Size: Same , Type: Virtual)
● Convex Mirrors (Location : Behind,
Orientation: Upright, Size: Smaller, Type:
Virtual)
 Lesson 3: Refraction of Light Lesson 4: Electricity and Magnetism
Snell’s Law, Total Internal Reflection, Critical Angle Causes, Uses, and Interaction between the two

● Refraction, “bending of light” , refers to the change in History:

direction of a wave while moving due to the sudden
● The term came from the ancient the Greek city of
change in its medium.
Magnesia at which many natural magnets were
● Formula: (Only used when we are trying to look for
found
the index of refraction of a medium if the speed of
● These said natural magnets are now referred to
light is given)
𝑐 as lodestones. (means to lead or attract).
𝑛= 𝑣 ● They contain magnetite which is a natural
magnetic material (𝐹𝑒3𝑂4)
Snell’s Law: ● Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD Roman) - discovered or
● Transmitted light is refracted when in different knew a part or place near the Indus River that.
mediums. was very rich in natural magnet
● The angle of incidence is not the same with the ● The Chinese as early as 121 AD knew that an iron
angle of reflection in snell's law but parts of it are still rod would acquire magnetic property when
similar for solving components from it. brought near a natural magnet. The use of
- If θ1 > θ2, then 𝑠𝑖𝑛1 < 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 magnets is for aid in navigation and has been
- If θ2 > θ1, then 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 < 𝑠𝑖𝑛1 used as early as the 11th century.

- 𝑠𝑖𝑛1 > 𝑠𝑖𝑛2, then θ1 < θ2

Magnetism:
- 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 > 𝑠𝑖𝑛1, then θ2 < θ1 ● Force of attraction or repulsion of a magnetic
● Formula: material due to the arrangement of its atoms,
𝑛1𝑠𝑖𝑛1(θ1) = 𝑛2𝑠𝑖𝑛2(θ2) particularly its electrons.
● Property of being able to attract objects made of
θ1= angle of incidence naturally occurring magnetic materials like iron,
nickel, cobalt, or some of its alloys.
θ2= angle of refraction
𝑛1= index of refraction for medium 1 Causes of Magnetism:
𝑛2= index of refraction for medium 2 ● Atoms have magnetic properties due to the spin
of the atom’s electrons.
● Groups of atoms (domains) join so that their
Total Internal Reflection: magnetic fields are all going in the same
● Occurs when light reflects off of the inside wall of a
direction.
denser medium (higher index of refraction)
● We are used to light coming from a less dense
medium to a denser one but in TIR it goes from more
dense to less dense so there will be a time that light
will not pass through the medium but bounce back
or would only be reflected.

Critical Angle:
● When an unmagnetized substance is placed in a
● At a certain angle, the refracted ray follows a path
magnetic field, the substance can be magnetized
exactly along the surface of the denser medium.
𝑛2 which happens when the spinning electrons line
● Formula : 𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ = up in the same direction.
1 𝑐 𝑛 1 ● Other materials and metals are not magnetic due
to how their electrons are arranged.
 ● Electric Motors
- Converts electrical energy to mechanical
energy
- Any conversion of electrical energy to motion
happens within it.
● Current Meters
- Galvanometer - measure small currents
- Ammeter - measure currents
- Voltmeter - measure voltage

Properties of Magnets:
1. North and South Poles Law of Electromagnetic Induction:
- Every magnet has a North and South pole, even if
● Any change in the magnetic field of a coil of wire
you break a magnet into tiny pieces, it will still
will cause a voltage to be induced in the coil. This
retain its magnetic poles. It is impossible to have
voltage is called induced voltage.
a monopole or a single north or south pole.
● If the circuit is closed, the current will also
circulate through the circuit. This current is called
2. Magnetic Fields
induced current.
- Micheal Faraday realized that a magnet has a
magnetic field surrounding it. The field exerts
Uses of Electromagnetic Induction:
force on any charge or magnetic material.
Converging lines indicate strong fields while ● Generator
Spread Out ones indicate weaker ones. - Converts mechanical energy to electrical energy
- Used commonly in most power plants to create
3. Like Poles, Unlike Poles electricity
- Like poles repel each other while unlike poles
attract each other. (Law of Magnetism) ● Transformer
- Used to increase (Step-up) or decrease
4. Attract Only Magnetic Materials (Step-down) voltage or currents
- Magnets only attract specific types of metals - High voltage electricity : long distance
(iron, nickel, cobalt) while other materials like transmission
glass, plastic, and wood as well as other metals - Low Voltage : homes
like copper, silver, gold, magnesium, platinum,
and aluminum are not attracted. (FYI the other
unattracted metals can be magnetized by a
SMALL amount)

5. Action at a Distance
- Although two magnets may not be touching,
they still can interact through their magnetic
fields because magnetism is an example of a
non-contact force.

Electricity:
● Produced by vibrating or charged particles

Electricity to Magnetism:
● Hans Oersted
- First observed that a current in a wire affects
a nearby compass needle which proves that
electric current creates a magnetic field.
● Michael Faraday
- If an electric current can create a magnetic
field, then maybe a magnetic field can create
an electric current. (Idea came from Hans
Oersted)
- It led to his Law of Electromagnetic Induction

Electromagnets:
● Magnets created using a current, magnetic
strength increases with:
- More current in the wire (Battery)
- More coils of wire (paikot sa Nail)
- Bigger ferromagnetic core (Nail)

Uses of Electromagnetism: