Electromagnetic (EM) waves are all similar; they are all transverse waves that travel at the same velocity and are created by the movement of electrons. But they are also different, not only in wavelength and frequency but also in how they are reflected, absorbed or transmitted by different materials. For example, the microwaves that your … Continue reading Uses and Dangers of EM Waves
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Telescopes in Space
Why do we put telescopes in space? The reason is not to get "closer" to the things we are trying to observe! Although the Earth's atmosphere extends much further, we generally think of space as starting about 100 km above the Earth's surface (see here for more details) and that's a tiny distance compared even … Continue reading Telescopes in Space
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Given that electromagnetic (EM) waves all have various things in common*, it makes sense to put them in order. We do this using their wavelength or frequency: it doesn't matter which one we choose because as wavelength increases, frequency decreases (and vice versa). Putting the different types of EM waves in order creates a spectrum … Continue reading The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Experimental Physics
At the risk of being controversial, I would like to suggest that experiments are much more powerful than theories because experiments provide the evidence to prove whether or not a theory is correct. Technically, you can't prove that a theory is correct: you can only prove that it works for the particular case that you … Continue reading Experimental Physics
Electromagnetic (EM) Waves
Electromagnetic (EM) waves are a family of different types of waves that have some specific properties in common; they all propagate (travel) at the same speedthey are all transverse wavesthey can all propagate through free space without the need for any medium The most common examples of EM wave are the various colours of visible … Continue reading Electromagnetic (EM) Waves
Hubble’s best pictures
The Hubble Space Telescope will reach its 30th birthday on 24th April 2020. To celebrate this milestone, the Physics World website is counting down its Top 10 Hubble Images. At number 10... Hubble's image of the Horsehead Nebula, which was announced on 15th April, can be viewed by clicking here. At number 9... Hubble's image … Continue reading Hubble’s best pictures
On your marks, get set…
School is about to resume (in the online sense) and the chances are that things will have to be done remotely for some time so it's really important that you prepare yourself to succeed in the learning that is to come. With that in mind, please read the suggestions listed in this document. Before Easter … Continue reading On your marks, get set…
Physicists do silly things!
We all like to think of physicists as being really smart - and mostly they are - but sometimes a few of them do silly things. After all, we're only human... Physics World, the magazine of the Institute of Physics (IoP) has published an online article recounting a few examples of physicists' sillyness. You can … Continue reading Physicists do silly things!
Introduction to Flipgrid
Great though this platform is, we can't communicate directly with each other so I've created a new area where we can do just that. It's on a service called Flipgrid and you will find it at flipgrid.com/physbang. Please log-in using your school email address (I've set it that way so that the area is private) … Continue reading Introduction to Flipgrid
Sound: A Quick Recap
Sound is the most common example of a longitudinal wave (if you need a second example in an examination, mention seismic P waves from earthquakes). It is therefore important that you can describe and explain sound waves. This includes how the human ear works (in physics terms) and how microphones and loudspeakers link sound to … Continue reading Sound: A Quick Recap
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 