Chapter 15

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

By Tr.Yun Khin Khin
What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum
-The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete
spectrum of all forms of “light”

-An electromagnetic wave consists of electric and

magnetic fields which vibrate thus making waves
The electromagnetic spectrum consists of-
- Radio waves
- Microwaves
- Infrared waves
- Visible light waves
- Ultraviolet waves
- X-ray waves
- Gamma waves
Waves
-Properties of electromagnetic waves include speed, frequency and
wavelength

Speed (s), Frequency and wavelength ( )) are related in the formula

s=

8
All light waves travel at a speed of 3*10 m/s in a vaccum
Relationship between wavelength and frequency
-All parts of the electromagnetic spectrum travel at the same speed

-Therefore, wavelength and frequency have a indirect relationship

-This mean that as one characteristic increase, the other decrease

-In other words, as wavelength increase=frequency decrease.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radio Waves
-Low energy waves with longest wavelength

-Include FM, and TV waves

-Wavelength of 1m (10 -1 m) and longer

-Low Frequency

-Used in many devices such as remote control items, cell phones, wireless
device, etc.
Microwaves
-1 -4
-Wavelength 1*10 m to 1* 10 m

Use for microwave ovens.

Infrared Waves
-Invisible electromagnetic waves that are detected as heat

-Can be detected with special device such as night goggles

-Use in heat lamps

-Higher energy than microwaves but lower than visible light

Visible Light
-The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can
detect

-Red, orange, yellow , green, blue, indigo, violet

-Red has lowest frequency

-Violet has the highest

Visible Light
Ultraviolet waves
-Higher energy than light waves

-Can cause skin cancer and blindness in humans

-Use in tanning beds and sterilizing equipment

X- Rays
-High energy waves

-Use in medicine, industry and astronomy

-Can cause cancer

Gamma Rays
-Highest energy

-Use gamma rays to kill cancerous cells.