Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Spectrum
• The electromagnetic radiation includes
a wide range of frequencies and
wavelengths.
• The electromagnetic spectrum is the
entire range of frequencies of
electromagnetic radiation
 Electromagnetic Spectrum

Low Energy High Energy

Large Wavelength Small Wavelength
Low Frequency High Frequency
 Electromagnetic Spectrum
• You should know the order of electromagnetic
radiation from low frequency to high
frequency:
• Lowest frequency
– Radio waves
– Microwaves
– Infrared radiation
– Visible light (red, orange, yellow, green blue,
violet)
– Ultraviolet
– X-rays
– Gamma rays.
• Highest Frequency
 Energy and the
Electromagnetic Spectrum
• The energy of electromagnetic radiation is
directly proportional to the frequency.
• Electromagnetic radiation with higher
frequency than visible light has higher energy.
This is why ultraviolet light can burn your skin
and X-rays and gamma rays can damage
tissues.
• Electromagnetic radiation with a lower
frequency than visible light has less energy.
Rays that hit the earth!
 Wavelength and the
Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Higher frequency electromagnetic
waves have shorter wavelengths
• Wavelengths vary greatly from long
wavelengths (many meters) to very
short wavelengths (the size of atomic
nuclei).
 Radio Waves
Radio Waves
• Low Energy
• Includes Radar and television signals
• Dangers: None
 Radio Waves (cont.)

FM – Frequency Modulation
• Measured in Megahertz (MHz)

AM – Amplitude Modulation
• Measured in Kilohertz (KHz)
• Can bounce off the ionosphere and be heard further than
FM
 Radio Waves (cont.)

RADAR
• Radio
Direction And
Ranging
• Used to
measure the
speed and/or
location of an • Baseball, weather, aircraft, cars
object
 Microwaves

Microwaves
• Low Energy
• Common Uses: Telecommunications,
Microwaves, Radar
• Dangers: Can kill healthy cells, can affect
people with pacemakers
 Infrared Waves
Infrared Waves
• Low Energy
• Common Uses: Heat Lamps, Night Visions
Goggles
• Dangers: Overexposure can cause burns
Infrared Waves in Astronomy
 Ultraviolet Waves
Ultraviolet Waves
• High energy, Short wavelength, High
Frequency
• Common Uses: Sterilize medical equipment,
helps skin produce vitamin D
• Dangers: Can burn, cause skin cancer
Ultraviolet Waves in
Astronomy
 X-rays
X-rays
• High energy, Short wavelength,
High Frequency
• Blocked by high density substances
• Common uses: Medical, kill cancer
cells, inspect baggage
• Dangers: Kills healthy cells
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays
• High energy, Short wavelength, High
Frequency
• Blocked by lead or concrete
• Uses: Astronomy research
• Dangers: Can damage healthy tissue
 More About Electromagnetic
Radiation
• Electromagnetic radiation travels in space
with no medium or may travel through a
transparent (see-through) medium
– Think visible light traveling through a window
• Electromagnetic radiation is a transverse
wave.
• Electromagnetic waves have an electric part
and a magnetic part that are perpendicular to
each other