Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is so named due to the fact that the electric and magnetic properties of the wave propagate at right angles to one another in a sinusoidal manner at the speed of light. The waves are defined according to the following equation:
c = fλ
where
c is the speed of light
f is the frequency of the radiation, and
λ is the wavelength of the radiation, that is the distance between successive troughs or peaks on the wave.
Electromagnetic spectrum is full range of electromagnetic radiation, including (in order of decreasing energy and increasing wavelength): gamma rays, X-rays, UV rays, visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves.
Types of Electromagnetic Radiation by Wavelength |
Gamma rays | less that 0.1 Angstroms |
Rays | 0.1 to 200 Angstroms |
Ultraviolet | 200 - 4,000 Angstroms |
Visible light | 4,000 - 7,000 Angstroms |
Near Infrared | 7000 Angstroms to 10 microns |
Infrared | 10 microns to 60 microns |
Far Infrared | 60 microns to 300 microns |
Sub millimeter | 300 microns to 1 millimeter |
Millimeter radio | 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter |
Microwave radio | 1 millimeter to several centimeters |