ELECTRO MAGNETIC SPECTRUM

(EMS)
Definition: - “The range of frequencies possessed by electromagnetic waves”.

The scientist “JAMES LERKWELL & HEINRICH HERTZ” studied how electromagnetic
waves are formed and how fast these waves travel.

FEATURES:-

 These waves are formed when an electric field couples with a magnetic field and both
fields are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the waves.
 When many types of waves are arranged together, these waves are known as
electromagnetic waves which can travel through vacuum and is made up of electric and
magnetic field.
 These wave travel at the speed of light “300000km/s.
 These waves reach from the sun to the earth in about 8 minutes.
 The primary source of EMS is “SUN”
 Our atmosphere acts like a shield to these most dangerous EM waves.
 High energy----- More Energy.
More Energy ------More Dangerous.
 Different light waves have different wavelength
a) Longest wavelength have red colour.
b) Shortest wavelength have violet colour.
 Our eyes only recognizes 3 colors which are known as “Primary Colors”, these are Red,
Green & Blue.
 All other colors seem to be the mixture of these three.
Ms. Neha Dubey
Physiotherapy resident
Department of Physiotherapy
UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah.
E-mail: physioneha05@gmail.com
  As wavelength decreases; Frequency Increases.

S.NO RADIATIONS FREQUENCY WAVELENGTH

1 Gamma rays High frequency 0.01nm
2 X-Rays 1nm
3 UV rays 100nm
4 Visible Light 400-700nm
5 Infra-red rays 0.01mm
6 Micro Waves 1cm
7 Radio waves Low frequency 1m-1km

ELECTOMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Mnemonic to remember:-
“Reeta meet in Venice uncle Edward Gabe”.

Points to remember:-

1) GAMMA RAYS :-
a) These are extremely high frequency waves which carry large amount of energy.
b) These waves can pass through most of the materials and are quite difficult to stop.
c) These waves are used to kill living cells by the process of radiotherapy.
d) It is also used to sterilize medical equipment’s.
e) The Doctors put slight radioactive substance into the patient’s body than scan them
using gamma camera to detect the radiations.
f) Prolonged exposure to these radiations can cause Cancer.
g) It is also used in detection of smoking.

2) X-RAYS :-
a) These are also high frequency waves which carry lots of energy.
b) These are mostly used in Diagnostic medicine purpose as these can easily passes
through the body.
c) These waves are produced by firing a beam of electron at a target.

Ms. Neha Dubey

Physiotherapy resident
Department of Physiotherapy
UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah.
E-mail: physioneha05@gmail.com
 d) Prolonged exposure to this radiation can cause cell damage and cancer, so the
radiographers in the hospitals stand behind a shield when taking X-ray of the Patient.
e) It can also be used to look for hidden objects at the airport.

3) ULTRAVIOLET RAYS :-
a) These are made up of special types of lamps.
b) Wavelength: - 10nm-400nm.
c) Types
UVA UVB UVC
400-315nm ,penetrate up 315-280nm, deep 280-100nm, superficial
to dermis epidermis epidermis

d) It is used therapeutically for the treatment of skin diseases.

e) It is used for detecting forged bank notes in shops, hardening some types of dental
fillings & discos for glowing clothes.
f) Large dose can leads to retina damage and can also cause cancer.

4) VISIBLE LIGHT :-
a) Our eyes can detect tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum called as visible light.
b) The electric current heat the lamp filament to around 3000 degrees and it glows white
hot.
c) Too much exposure to this light can cause retina damage which can be healed if it is
too bad it can be permanent.
d) It is also used in fiber optics, Flash light LED Bulbs etc.

5) INFRA RED RAYS :-

a) Infra means “Below” Visible light.
b) Wavelength: 750nm -10000nm.
c) It Produces Heat & Warmth..
d) These radiations are used therapeutically in physiotherapy.
e) These are also used in burglar detectors, T.V remote control etc.
f) Prolonged exposure to these radiations can heat the lens resulting in cataract and
permanent retinal damage.

Ms. Neha Dubey

Physiotherapy resident
Department of Physiotherapy
UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah.
E-mail: physioneha05@gmail.com
 Radiation cataract.
6) MICROWAVE :-
a) These are made up of various types of transmitters and are extremely high frequency
radio waves.
b) It can cause water and fat molecules to vibrate which makes the substance hoy.
c) Prolonged exposure can cause cataract.

7) RADIOWAVES:-
a) These are made up of various types of transmitters as depend upon wavelength.
b) These waves are used for communication purpose.
c) Large doses can cause cancer, Leukemia and other disorders etc.

TYPES OF WAVES
S.NO LONG WAVE MEDIUM WAVE VERY HIGH ULTRA HIGH
FREQUENCY FREQUENCY
1 Wavelength :- 1- Wavelength :- 100m Wavelength :- 2m Wavelength:- <1m
2km
2 These waves are These waves are used These waves are These waves are
used in ATLANTIC in BBC Radio 5 & used in FM Radio used in police radio
252 AM Stations Stations Communications
,Military Aircrafts
radios etc.

Ms. Neha Dubey

Physiotherapy resident
Department of Physiotherapy
UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah.
E-mail: physioneha05@gmail.com