ELECTROMAGNETIC NOTATION
Scientific notation is used when dealing
with very large numbers such as 43,000,000 or very small numbers such
as .000043. Scientific notation allows us to write these numbers and
work with these numbers without the cumbersome job of dealing with so
many digits. In scientific notation, forty-three million becomes 4.3 x
107 simply by moving the decimal 7 places to the
left. Numbers less than one require the decimal to be moved to the
right so forty-three millionths becomes 4.3 x 10-5. Notice
the exponent is negative when the decimal is moved to the right while
the exponent is positive when the decimal is moved to the
left. Remember that with scientific notation only one digit should be
in front of the decimal.
The electromagnetic spectrum is an
arrangement of electromagnetic radiation according to wavelength,
frequency, or energy level. The spectrum ranges from radio waves,
which are low-energy, low-frequency, long waves, to gamma-rays, which
are the high-energy, high-frequency, short waves. Listed in order
below are the components of the electromagnetic spectrum. Beside each
type of radiation you will find the length of a wave in meters which
falls into that radiation type. A wavelength is the distance from one
crest or trough to the next crest or trough. Convert these numbers to
scientific notation by moving the decimal to the left or the
right.
1. gamma-rays .0000000000001 m
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2. X-rays .0000000001 m
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3. ultraviolet rays .00000001 m
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4. visible light .0000005 m
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5. infrared rays .00001 m
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6. microwaves .01 m
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7. radio waves 1,000 m
_________________________________________ The number of
waves that pass a particular point in a given amount of time is the
wave frequency. Each component of the electromagnetic spectrum has its
own frequency range. The unit on a wave's frequency is a Hertz, or
wave per second. Listed below are the components of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Beside each type of radiation is a frequency
value expressed in scientific notation which falls in the range of
that radiation type. Convert the scientific notation into standard
form by moving the decimal the appropriate number of places to the
left or the right. 8. gamma-rays 1 x 1021
Hertz _________________________________________
9. X-rays 1 x 1018
Hertz _________________________________________
10. ultraviolet rays 1 x 1016
Hertz _________________________________________
11. visible light 5 x 1014
Hertz _________________________________________
12. infrared rays 1 x 1013
Hertz _________________________________________
13. microwaves 1 x 1010
Hertz _________________________________________
14. radio waves 1 x 105 Hertz
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