The Electromagnetic Spectrum

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The Electromagnetic Spectrum

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The electromagnetic spectrum is the entire range of radiant energies

or wave frequencies.

There are seven main regions in the electromagnetic spectrum. These

are: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet,

x-rays and gamma rays. Each section of the EM spectrum has a different

wavelength, these are shown in the table below

Section of EM spectrum

Wavelength (in cm)

radio waves

> 10

microwaves

10 à 10

infrared

10 à 10

Visible light

10 à10

ultraviolet

10 à 10

x-rays

10 à 10

Gamma rays

<10

Each region of the EM spectrum has different uses in everyday life.

radio waves

These are used for transmitting radio signals, phone signals and

television. Also stars and gases in space emit radio waves.

Microwaves

These are used for cooking, in our microwaves. They can also be used

for communication.

Infrared

This is used for heating, night vision and in remote controls.

Visible light

This is the light that we see. It is emitted by everything.

Ultraviolet

Is emitted from the sun, it is what tans our skin. It is also used for

sterilising, and in forensic science, to see things such as traces of

bodily fluids, which are invisible to the naked eye.

X-rays

These are used for medical purposes in hospitals, to look at our

bones.

Gamma rays

These are emitted by radioactive substances, and are also used for

killing some cancer cells.

Each regions wavelength also relates to what it is used for. For

example, radio waves are used for transmitting radio signals because

they have a long wavelength, and can therefore travel further without

being disrupted. Also the reason we can see visible light is because

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