(credit: modification of work by Johannes Ahlmann) SOUND WAVES For instance, honeybees can see light in the ultraviolet range (Wakakuwa, Stavenga, & Arikawa, 2007), and some snakes can detect infrared radiation in addition to more traditional visual light cues (Chen, Deng, Brauth, Ding, & Tang, 2012 Hartline, Kass, & Loop, 1978).ĭifferent wavelengths of light are associated with our perception of different colors. ![]() Other species can detect other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The visible spectrum in humans is associated with wavelengths that range from 380 to 740 nm-a very small distance, since a nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter. As shows, the electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all of the electromagnetic radiation that occurs in our environment and includes gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves. The visible spectrum is the portion of the larger electromagnetic spectrum that we can see. Moving from top to bottom, the wavelengths decrease and frequencies increase. At the top of the figure, the red wave has a long wavelength/short frequency. That's 440,000,000,000,000 hertz.This figure illustrates waves of differing wavelengths/frequencies. Red light has a wavelength of about 682 nanometers. ![]() These combine to give light extremely high frequencies. Light moves even faster AND has shorter wavelengths. Sound waves move through the air at around 343 meters/second (767 miles/hour). So a thousand sound waves can enter your ear in a second! Sound waves travel much faster than normal water waves. Sound waves with a wavelength around 34 cm (about a foot) have a frequency of 1,000 hertz. Shorter wavelengths mean higher frequencies, while longer wavelengths mean lower frequencies. Wavelength and frequency go opposite of each other. If the other set has a shorter wavelength, it will have a higher frequency (less time between waves). If one set has a longer wavelength, it will have a lower frequency (more time between waves). Imagine two sets of waves that have the same speed. It also depends on the wavelength of the wave. The frequency of a wave depends on how fast the wave is moving. The frequency is how often a crest goes by. Radiation that we see as light have really, really short wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometers (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter!).Ī wave also has a "frequency". Have wavelengths between about 2 cm (an inch) and 17 meters (56 The wavelengths of ocean waves we see at the beach are usually 10 or so meters (33 feet) or longer. You should get the same distance either way. You can also measure the distance from the lowest point between two waves (called the wave's "trough") to the next trough. If you think about a wave in the ocean, its wavelength is the distance from the top of one wave (called the wave's "crest") to the top of the next wave. ![]() The length of a wave is called, well, its "wavelength". Did you also know that sound travels through the air in waves? Or that light is actually made up of waves of electromagnetic energy? Everyone knows about waves of water in the ocean. There are many kinds of waves all around us. Fundamental Physics relevant to Space Weather
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