What is different about the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum

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GCSE

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum

Electromagnetic waves form a spectrum of different wavelengths. This spectrum includes visible light, X-rays and radio waves. Electromagnetic radiation can be useful as well as hazardous.

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Physics (Single Science)

Electromagnetism and magnetism

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The electromagnetic spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuous range of wavelengths. The types of radiation that occur in different parts of the spectrum have different uses and dangers - depending on their wavelength and frequency.

What is different about the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum

Refraction from a prism

The order of electromagnetic waves in the spectrum is shown in the table.

EnergyFrequencyWavelengthRadiation typeTypical use
Lowest Lowest Longest Radio waves Television signals
Microwaves Cooking, mobile phones
Infrared Optical fibre communication
Visible light Seeing
Ultraviolet Detecting forged bank notes
X-rays Medical images of bones
Highest Highest Shortest Gamma radiation Killing cancer cells

Radio waves have the lowest frequencies and longest wavelengths, while gamma waves have the highest frequencies and shortest wavelengths.

All of these waves travel at the same speed in free space, which is the speed of light or about 300,000,000 m/s (metres per second).

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What is different about the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum?

On one end of the electromagnetic spectrum are radio waves, which have wavelengths billions of times longer than those of visible light. On the other end of the spectrum are gamma rays, with wavelengths billions of times smaller than those of visible light.

What are the different parts of electromagnetic?

The electromagnetic spectrum is generally divided into seven regions, in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency. The common designations are radio waves, microwaves, infrared (IR), visible light, ultraviolet (UV) light, X-rays and gamma-rays.

What is different about the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum quizlet?

EM waves differ in frequency, wavelength and energy level. + High frequency waves have short wavelength and HIGH energy. + Low frequency waves have long wavelengths and low energy. Electromagnetic waves differ in frequency (and wavelength).

How are the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum used when studying any object?

Telescopes use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus waves from the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, allowing us to look at celestial objects. By studying the electromagnetic waves given off by objects such as stars, galaxies, and black holes, astronomers can better understand the universe.