Skip to main content
Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms
McMurry - Chemistry 8th Edition
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMcMurry 8th EditionCh.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of AtomsProblem 26a
Chapter 5, Problem 26a

Two electromagnetic waves are represented below. (
(a) Which wave has the greater intensity?

Verified step by step guidance
1
insert step 1> Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic waves that relate to intensity, such as amplitude and frequency.
insert step 2> Recall that the intensity of an electromagnetic wave is proportional to the square of its amplitude.
insert step 3> Compare the amplitudes of the two given waves visually or through any provided data.
insert step 4> Determine which wave has the greater amplitude, as this will indicate the wave with the greater intensity.
insert step 5> Conclude that the wave with the larger amplitude has the greater intensity, based on the relationship between amplitude and intensity.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space. They travel at the speed of light and include a spectrum of waves such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. The properties of these waves, including wavelength and frequency, determine their behavior and interactions with matter.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:37
Electromagnetic Waves

Intensity of Waves

The intensity of a wave is defined as the power per unit area carried by the wave, typically measured in watts per square meter (W/m²). For electromagnetic waves, intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the wave. Thus, a wave with a higher amplitude will have greater intensity, leading to stronger effects when interacting with matter.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:45
Intensive Properties

Amplitude and Energy Relationship

In electromagnetic waves, the amplitude is the maximum extent of the wave's oscillation. A higher amplitude indicates more energy carried by the wave, which directly affects its intensity. Therefore, when comparing two waves, the one with the greater amplitude will have a higher intensity and can be identified as the wave with greater energy output.
Recommended video:
Guided course
00:49
Lattice Energy
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Identify each of the following orbitals, and give n and l quantum numbers for each. (a)

(b)

Textbook Question
Calculate the wavelength in nm of the light emitted when an electron makes a transition from an orbital in n = 5 to an orbital in n = 2 in the hydrogen atom. (LO 5.8) (a) 2.31 * 10-3 nm (b) 4.34 * 10-2 nm (c) 231 nm (d) 434 nm
Textbook Question
What are the possible values of n, l, and ml for an electron in a 5p orbital? (LO 5.12)
1
views
Textbook Question
What are the possible values of n, l, and ml for the orbital shown? (LO 5.13)
Textbook Question
Where on the blank outline of the periodic table do elements that meet the following descriptions appear? (c) Elements with electrons whose largest principal quantum number is n = 4

Textbook Question

Two electromagnetic waves are represented below.

(c) Which wave represents yellow light, and which represents infrared radiation?

2
views