What is Electromagnetic Spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum refers to the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of energy that travels through space in waves. It includes a wide range of waves, from low-frequency radio waves to high-energy gamma rays.
- There are no clear boundaries between different types of waves. They blend seamlessly into one another. It is a continuous spectrum.
- Different types of waves have different wavelengths and frequencies, inversely related to each other.
- All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.
- Electromagnetic waves propagate perpendicular to the direction of their oscillation.
- Electromagnetic radiation shows both wave-like and particle-like behavior, known as wave-particle duality.
Here’s the range of the electromagnetic spectrum with their corresponding wavelengths and frequencies:
| Region | Wavelength Range | Frequency Range |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Waves | Greater than 1 mm | Less than 300 GHz |
| Microwaves | 1 mm to 1 meter | 300 GHz to 300 MHz |
| Infrared Radiation | 1 micrometer to 1 mm | 300 THz to 300 GHz |
| Visible Light | 400 to 700 nanometers | 750 THz to 430 THz |
| Ultraviolet | 10 nanometers to 400 nm | 30 PHz to 750 THz |
| X-rays | 0.01 to 10 nanometers | 30 EHz to 30 PHz |
| Gamma Rays | Less than 0.01 nanometers | Greater than 30 EHz |
Applications of Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. Each type of radiation has different frequencies and wavelengths. These waves carry energy and can travel through a vacuum at the speed of light. They play a very important role in various fields like communication, medicine, technology, etc. In this article, we are going to learn some of the most common applications of electromagnetic spectrum in real life.