Electromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a a form of energy propogated through free space (vaccum) or a medium in the form of electromagnetic waves.EMR is termed as such because it is composed of an electric field and a magnetic field that oscillate simultaneously in planes mutually perpendicular to each other as well as to the direction of propogation of the radiation.
The two defining characteristics of electromagnetic radiation are its:
- Frequency and
- Wavelength
Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in a specified time. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second.
Wavelength is the distance between two successive peaks of a wave. It is measured in meters (m) or its multiples (nm, mm, cm etc)
The range of electromagnetic waves is called electromagnetic spectrum.
ALL ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES TRAVEL WITH THE SAME VELOCITY
(Velocity of light (C)~ 3*10^8 m/s)
Velocity, wavelength and frequency are related by the equation: C = frequency * wavelength
It is evident from this equation that frequency and wavelegth are inversely proportional
This follows that:
- a wave with a longer wavelength has lower frequency and thus lower energy
- a wave with a shorter wave wavelength has higher frequency and thus higher energy.
The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into seven regions. They are:
- Radio waves
- Microwaves
- InfraRed (IR) waves
- Visible light
- UltraViolet (UV) rays
- X rays and
- Gamma rays
Usually. low energy radiation (Radio waves) is expressed as wavelengths while microwaves, infrared (IR), visible and ultraviolet (UV) radiations are expressed as frequencies.
Radio waves
Radio waves are at the lowest range of the EM spectrum, with wavelengths greater than about 10 mm. Radio is used primarily for communications including voice, data and entertainment media.
Microwaves
Microwaves have wavelengths of about 10 mm to 100 micrometers (μm). Microwaves are used for high-bandwidth communications, radar and as a heat source for microwave ovens and industrial applications.
Infrared
Infrared is in the range of wavelengths of about 100 μm to 740 nanometers (nm). IR light is invisible to human eyes, but we can feel it as heat if the intensity is sufficient.
Visible light
Visible light is found in the middle of the EM spectrum, between IR and UV. It has wavelengths of about 740 nm to 380 nm. Visible light is defined as the wavelengths that are visible to most human eyes.
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is in the range of the EM spectrum between visible light and X-rays. It has wavelengths of about 380 nm to about 10 nm. UV light is a component of sunlight; however, it is invisible to the human eye. It has numerous medical and industrial applications, but it can damage living tissue.
X-rays
X-rays are roughly classified into two types: soft X-rays and hard X-rays. Soft X-rays comprise the range of the EM spectrum between UV and gamma rays. Soft X-rays have wavelengths of about 10 nm to about 100 picometers (pm). Hard X-rays occupy the same region of the EM spectrum as gamma rays. The only difference between them is their source: X-rays are produced by accelerating electrons, while gamma rays are produced by atomic nuclei.
Gamma-rays
Gamma-rays are in the range of the spectrum above soft X-rays. Gamma-rays have wavelengths of less than 100 pm (4 × 10−9 inches). Gamma radiation causes damage to living tissue, which makes it useful for killing cancer cells when applied in carefully measured doses to small regions. Uncontrolled exposure, though, is extremely dangerous to humans.
Radio waves are at the lowest range of the EM spectrum, with wavelengths greater than about 10 mm. Radio is used primarily for communications including voice, data and entertainment media.
Microwaves
Microwaves have wavelengths of about 10 mm to 100 micrometers (μm). Microwaves are used for high-bandwidth communications, radar and as a heat source for microwave ovens and industrial applications.
Infrared
Infrared is in the range of wavelengths of about 100 μm to 740 nanometers (nm). IR light is invisible to human eyes, but we can feel it as heat if the intensity is sufficient.
Visible light
Visible light is found in the middle of the EM spectrum, between IR and UV. It has wavelengths of about 740 nm to 380 nm. Visible light is defined as the wavelengths that are visible to most human eyes.
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is in the range of the EM spectrum between visible light and X-rays. It has wavelengths of about 380 nm to about 10 nm. UV light is a component of sunlight; however, it is invisible to the human eye. It has numerous medical and industrial applications, but it can damage living tissue.
X-rays
X-rays are roughly classified into two types: soft X-rays and hard X-rays. Soft X-rays comprise the range of the EM spectrum between UV and gamma rays. Soft X-rays have wavelengths of about 10 nm to about 100 picometers (pm). Hard X-rays occupy the same region of the EM spectrum as gamma rays. The only difference between them is their source: X-rays are produced by accelerating electrons, while gamma rays are produced by atomic nuclei.
Gamma-rays
Gamma-rays are in the range of the spectrum above soft X-rays. Gamma-rays have wavelengths of less than 100 pm (4 × 10−9 inches). Gamma radiation causes damage to living tissue, which makes it useful for killing cancer cells when applied in carefully measured doses to small regions. Uncontrolled exposure, though, is extremely dangerous to humans.
very useful information for students.
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