By Rishi Maran

Click on a type of wave

Gamma Rays
WAVELENGTH - <10^(-11) m FREQUENCY > 3 x 10^19 Hz Extremely high energy waves Nuclear energy released from nucleus of radioactive isotopes
E.g. uranium and plutonium

Detected with a Geiger Counter

Uses
Radiotherapy Tracer Sterilise food

Ultraviolet (UV)
WAVELENGTH 1 * 10^(-8) 4 * 10^(-7) m FREQUENCY 7.5 * 10(14) 3 * 10^(16) Hz Found in sunlight and mercury vapour lamps Detected with skin, photographic film & fluorescent chemicals Small amount of UV is vital
Helps produce Vitamin D Too much causes damage to the skin

Uses
Kill bacteria Astronomy research Fluorescence

Visible Light
WAVELENGTH- 4 * 10^(-7) 7 * 10^(-7) m FREQUENCY- 4*10^(14) - 7.5 * 10^(14) Hz The only electromagnetic waves we can see Includes colours of the rainbow
ROYGBIV Each colour has a different wavelength Red has longest wavelength, and Violet has shortest wavelength Uses When all waves are seen together, Seeing they make white light. Plants use it for photosynthesis

CD players and laser printers

Infrared (IR)
WAVELENGTH- 7 * 10^(-7) 1 * 10^(-3) m FREQUENCY- 3 * 10^(11) - 4 * 10^(14) Hz Often associated with heat Released from vibrating atoms and molecules
Hotter the object, the more the energy released as IR radiation

Uses
Thermal Imaging Night vision goggles TV remote controls

Microwaves
WAVELENGTH- 1 * 10^(-3) 1 * 10^(1) m FREQUENCY- 3 * 10^(9) 3 * 10^(11) Hz Sometimes called short-wave radio waves Detected by parabolic dish antennas Generated by vibrating electrons in electrical devices Able to pass through the ionosphere of the atmosphere.

Uses Satellite communications Radar Mobile phones Microwave ovens

Radio Waves
WAVELENGTH- > 1 * 10^(-1) m FREQUENCY- < 3 * 10^(9) Hz Generated by vibrating electrons. Have an extremely large wavelength.
Long (ground) radio waves bend to follow the Earths surface. Short (sky) radio waves reflect from the ionosphere as they cannot pass through.

Uses
Global communication Radio and television broadcasting.