10

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 1
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Week 1

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

1
  Lesson 1 – Nature of Electromagnetic Waves
 Lesson 2 – The Proponents of Electromagnetic Wave Theory
 Lesson 3 – EM Waves: Frequencies and Wavelengths

Most Essential Learning Competency

Compare the relative wavelengths of different forms of electromagnetic waves.
Specific Competencies:
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Describe how an electromagnetic (EM) wave is produced and propagated
2. Find out who the significant proponents on the formulation of electromagnetic
theory.
3. Determine and compare the relative frequencies and wavelengths of each EM
wave.

Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer in your answer sheet..
1. How are electromagnetic waves produced?
A. Any disturbance B. Currents C. Vibrating charge D. Voltage source
2. In the electromagnetic wave, what is the direction of the propagation of the wave?
A. Always to the right
B. Cannot be determined
C. Parallel to electric and magnetic field directions
D. Perpendicular to the electric and magnetic field directions
3. Which of the following forms of electromagnetic waves has the widest frequency
range?
A. Microwave B. Radio waves C. Ultraviolet D. X-ray
4. What happens to the frequency of the electromagnetic wave if its wavelength
increases?
A. It decreases. C. It remains the same.
B. It increases as well. D. None of the above.
5. What is the speed of the electromagnetic wave in a vacuum?
A. Zero
B. Always the same as the speed of light
C. Changing depending on the value of its wavelength
D. none of the above
6. Who contributed in developing equations that showed the relationship
of electricity and magnetism?
A. André-Marie Ampere C. James Clerk Maxwell
B. Heinrich Hertz D. Michael Faraday
7. Who showed the experimental evidence of electromagnetic waves and their
link to light?
A. André-Marie Ampere C. James Clerk Maxwell
B. Heinrich Hertz D. Michael Faraday
8. Which type of wave has the shortest wavelength?
A. Gamma ray B. Microwave C. Ultraviolet D. X-ray
9. What is the other term for electromagnetic waves?
A. Electric waves C. Mechanical waves
B. Longitudinal waves D. Transverse waves
10. All EM waves have the same speed.
A. True B. False
2
 11. Which of the following correctly lists electromagnetic waves in the order from the
longest to the shortest wavelength?
A.  Gamma rays, ultraviolet, infrared, microwaves
B.  Microwaves, ultraviolet, visible light, gamma rays
C. Radio waves, infrared, gamma rays, ultraviolet
D. Radio waves, infrared, visible light, X-rays
12. How is the wavelength of infrared differs from the wavelength of ultraviolet
waves? A. Longer B. Shorter C. The same D. None of these
13. What is the main difference between a radio wave and a light wave?
A. Speed B. Wavelength C. Both A and B D. None of the above
14. Which of the following is NOT an electromagnetic wave?
A. Infrared B. Light C. Sound D. Radio
15. What is the frequency range of UV radiation?
A. 3.5x109 – 3x1011 Hz C. 7.5x1014 – 3x1016 Hz
B. 3.5x10 – 4x10 Hz
11 14
D. 7.5x1016 – 3x1019 Hz

What I Need to Know

In this lesson, you will be introduced to the nature of electromagnetic waves and
on how they are produced and transmitted. You are also expected to be able to explain how
these waves are considered to be comprised of both electric and magnetic fields.
The activities found in this lesson are crafted with the goal of allowing you to ponder
easily and confidently on the concept of electromagnetic waves.
So, explore and have fun in learning!

What I Know
TRUE OR FALSE: Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct, and FALSE
if it is not. Write the answer in your answer sheet.
1. Electromagnetic waves transfer energy through a vacuum.
2. A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy.
3. EM waves travel at the speed of 4x108 m/s.
4. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves consisting of changing electric fields and
changing magnetic fields.
5. Most EM waves have the same speed.

What’s In

3
 In the previous lesson, you have learned about the interrelationship between
electricity and magnetism. You were also able to discover how an electric field could create a
magnetic field and vice versa.
As a review, a magnetic field is created around a wire that conducts electric current.
A coiled wire, known as a solenoid, acts as a magnet when current flows through it. A
solenoid with a core of iron acts as a strong magnet which is called as electromagnet.
Based on what you have learned previously, how can you describe
electromagnetism?

This time, you will be introduced to the nature of an electromagnetic (EM) wave. As
its name suggests, it is considered to be of both electric and magnetic in nature. In other
words, an electromagnetic wave contains an electric field and a magnetic field. These fields
are not made up of matter similar to what is in a football field. Instead, electric and magnetic
fields are the regions through which the push or pull of charged particles and magnets is
exerted. Charged particles and magnets can push or pull certain objects without even
touching them.
To understand this idea further, the next activity can help you out. Try making this
wave machine to see how all the different kinds of waves move! 
Activity 1.1: Building a Wave Machine
Objective: To observe the propagation of a wave.
Materials:
Monobloc Chairs– 2 pcs
Scotch Tape or Masking tape
Sticks (from stickbroom or BBQ sticks) – 15 pcs
Modelling Clay- 30 pcs (alternative NIPS candy or any softy small circle
objects with same size and weight that can hold the sticks)
Any books to hold the tape– 2 pcs
Procedure:
1. Gather all materials needed for the activity and then
place the two chairs about 1 meter apart from each
other.
2. Stretch a piece of scotch tape or masking tape to both
sides of the chair and place any books to hold the ends
of the tape. Make sure that the sticky part of the tape is
facing upward.
3. Leaving about one (1) foot of tape empty on each end,
center the sticks from the stickbroom or barbecue
sticks along the tape, placing each one 1 ½ inches
away from the one.
4. Make a 30 small circles of modelling clay with the
same size and weight that can hold the sticks or if you
don’t have a modelling clay you can use Nips candy or
any softy small circle objects with same size and
weight that can still hold the sticks. Then, place the Actual Photos of the Activity
circled modeling clay/nips into the ends of the stick by Performed and Captured by: Elmar M. Dongallo
pushing them through the stick.
5. Tap the stick on one end of the tape.
Do tapping for five times or at your own desires. Observe what happen.

4
Nature of Electromagnetic Waves
How are electromagnetic waves produced?
Electromagnetic waves are produced by a charge that changes its direction or speed.
Electrons are charged particles that can produce electric and magnetic fields. But in order to
create the vibrating electric and magnetic fields that are the characteristics of an
electromagnetic wave, electrons must move. A charged particle, like electron, moves back
and forth, or vibrates. A changing magnetic field produces an electric field and in the same
manner, a changing electric field produces a magnetic field.
After knowing about how electromagnetic waves are produced, this time, read on to
be informed on how they move into different directions.
An electromagnetic wave is made up of an electric field and a magnetic field
positioned at right angles to each other and to the direction of motion of the wave (see
Figure 1.1). Since these fields are located at the right angles to the direction of motion of the
wave, electromagnetic waves are considered as transverse waves. This means that both
electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the
propagating wave.
https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics/communication-systems/propagation-of-electromagnetic-waves/

Figure 1.1 In a transverse wave, the direction of the wave energy moves into a right angle to
the electric and magnetic fields.

Like other waves, such as water waves and waves on a rope, electromagnetic waves
carry energy from one place to another. But unlike other waves, electromagnetic waves do
not carry energy by causing matter to vibrate. It is the electric and magnetic fields that
vibrate. This explains why electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum (where there is no
matter). But it does not mean that electromagnetic waves cannot travel through a medium.
They certainly can. Light, for example, can be transmitted with a medium - as through the
atmosphere - or without a medium - as through space.
Electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum at a speed of 3x108 m/s and denoted as c,
the speed of light. The speed is slightly slower in air, glass, and any other material. To
appreciate just how great this speed is, consider this: Light from the sun travels 150 million
kilometers to Earth in about 8 minutes!
Nothing known in the universe travels faster than the speed of light. Since all EM waves
have the same speed which is equal to the speed of light, this means that as the wavelength
decreases, the frequency of the wave increases.
5
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves are known to possess the following properties:
1. They are produced by accelerated or oscillating charge.
2. They do not require any material or medium for propagation.
3. They travel in free space at the speed of 3x108 m/s.

Directions: Unscramble the words in Box B and match these words to fill
them into the appropriate blanks in Box A to complete the
statements. Write the answer (in words) in your answer sheet.

Box A

1. A moving charge creates _____________.

2. A changing magnetic field causes a
changing ___________
3. The successive production of electric and
magnetic fields results to the creation of
________ wave.
4. An EM wave propagates _____________
from the source.
5. Electromagnetic waves do not need

Answer the following questions in your answer sheet.

1. What causes the production of electromagnetic waves and what consist them?
2. How is an EM wave produced and propagated?

Let’s apply what you have learned.

Electromagnetic Waves in Your Life

 How do electromagnetic waves play an important role in your life? Explain your
answer. Write answer in your answer sheet.

6
 TRUE OR FALSE: Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct, and FALSE if it is not.
Write answer in your answer sheet.

1. Most EM waves have the same speed.

2. EM waves travel at the speed of 4x108 m/s.
3. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves consisting of changing electric
fields and changing magnetic fields.
4. Electromagnetic waves transfer energy through a vacuum.
5. A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy

Directions: Write the answer in your activity notebook.

1. Inside your house, look around four devices and appliances that you use everyday.
2. Name four (4) objects that you see which can produce electromagnetic waves.
3. Write the uses/applications of the objects that you have listed.
4. Write answer in your answer sheet.

PRETEST
1. A 6. C 11. D
2. D 7. B 12. A
3. D 8. A 13. B
4. A 9. D 14. C
5. B 10. A 15. C

Lesson 1
What I Know What’s More
1. True 1. Magnetic field
2. True 2. Electric field
3. False 3. EM
4. True 4. Outward
5. False 5. Objects

7
What I Have Learned
1. Accelerating electrons produce electromagnetic waves. These waves are a
combination of electric and magnetic fields.

2. Any of these answers:

 Electromagnetic waves are produced by a charge that changes its direction or
speed.
 They are produced by accelerated or oscillating charge.
 They do not require any material or medium for propagation.

Assessment
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True

References
Books:
Science 10 Learner’s Material pages 142-152
Prentice Hall Exploring Physical Science, Texas Edition, Maton et.al
Pages 641-647

Websites:
For Nature of Electromagnetic Wave
https://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/microscope-resource/primer/java/
polarizedlight/emwave/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE520z_ugcU-wave
https://www.kiwico.com/diy/Science-Projects-for-Kids/3/project/Wave-Machine/2961