Electromagnetic Spectrum
Edited by Jamie (ScienceAid Editor), Taylor (ScienceAid Editor), vcdanht, Sim and 5 others
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Light is just part of a continuum of waves called the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum includes many types of wave that you will recognize including X-rays and infra-red.
The electromagnetic spectrum is normally given in order of decreasing wavelength or increasing frequency. A summary of the spectrum showing the wavelength and frequency is as follows:
Properties, Dangers and Uses
The properties dangers and applications of the various waves on the em spectrum are in the table below.
Wave | Uses | Dangers |
---|---|---|
Radio Waves |
|
None |
Microwaves |
|
Internal heating of body tissue |
Infra-red |
|
Burns skin |
Light |
|
Strong light causes damage to vision. |
Ultra-violet |
|
Skin cancer and blindness |
X rays |
|
Mutations in cells and severe burns to the skin. |
Gamma Rays |
|
Cancers and cell mutation |
Questions and Answers
Hi Jamie, What why is electromagnetic wave called electromagnetic?
Just a confusion I have with understanding this. light isn't electric or magnetic. Just a curious mind. thinking why it is chosen to be named this way.
Electromagnetic wave means a wave that can propagate because of the periodic variation of the intensities of both the electric and magnetic fields.In other words, it means, when the intensities of the electric and magnetic fields change periodically, the wave can propagate. It doesn't mean that light (an example of electromagnetic wave) should be magnetic or electric.
What are the uses and dangers of the electromagnetic spectrum?
The x-ray above is one of the many types that medical professionals use.
There are many uses in the Spectrum as well as Dangers.
Some uses include:
- 1Radio wavesAdvertisement
- 2Microwaves
- 3Depending on the device we're talking about, a combination of microwaves and radio waves are used.Communications; Cell phones, Satellite and so on.
Some Dangers include:
- 1Think X-RayRadio Activity.
- 2Sunburn; Think UV Rays
- 3Radar; Though very useful for obvious reasons but (if you get too close to the transmitting Antenna) can cook your insides like a Microwave.
Can you explain more about uses and dangers of the wave?
I could not understand the uses and dangers only for some
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What order do waves length go in and in what order of length?
Hello I'm Jamie too and I have a question please and thank you Longest wavelength and lowest frequency starts Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light, x rays, gamma rays ScienceAid QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.
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Article Info
Categories : Waves
Recent edits by: MaxScience, SmartyPants, callmedaddy123