The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. It is arranged in increasing frequencies (thus, decreasing wavelengths), in the following order:
1 - Radio waves
2 - Microwaves
3 - Infrared (IR) rays
4 - Visible light
5 - Ultraviolet rays
6 - X-rays
7 - Gamma rays
As the frequency of the waves increases, the energy that they carry too increases!
Radio waves, having the lowest frequency, carry the lowest energy relative to that of the members of its spectrum.
Conversely, gamma ray, having the highest frequency, carry the highest amount of energy compared to the rest.
EM radiation in our daily lives
1 - Radio wave
- produced by electrons oscillating in aerials
- applications: long-range radio transmission, TV signal transmission
2 - Microwave
- produced by a microwave transmitter
- applications: microwave oven used for cooking, microwave lasers
3 - Infrared
- produced by objects that radiate heat
- applications: night-vision goggles, human body
4 - Visible light
- the only component of EM spectrum that are visible to the naked eye
- produced by the Sun, lamp, lightbulb, etc.
- applications: sunlight (photography, enables vision), photosynthesis
5 - Ultra-violet rays
- produced by the Sun
- applications: fake note detector, sterilisation of surgical tools
6 - X-ray
- produced by an X-ray tube
- applications: X-ray scans, luggage scans at the airport
7 - Gamma ray
- produced by fast-moving electrons
- applications: radiotherapy for cancer patients, detection of leakage of underground pipes
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