Order of waves by wavelength and frequency

• What is the definition of the electromagnetic spectrum?

  A range of waves traveling through space
• What are electromagnetic waves?

  Waves that carry energy without a medium
• What are the major types of electromagnetic waves and their typical usages?

  • Radio waves: Communication, broadcasting
  • Microwaves: Heating food, radar
  • Infrared: Remote controls, thermal imaging
  • Visible light: Human vision
  • Ultraviolet: Sterilizing, skin tanning
  • X-rays: Medical imaging
  • Gamma rays: Cancer treatment, sterilization
• What is the wavelength range for radio waves?

  Greater than 1 mm
• What is the wavelength range for microwaves?

  1 mm to 1 m
• What is the wavelength range for infrared waves?

  700 nm to 1 mm
• What is the wavelength range for visible light?

  400 nm to 700 nm
• What is the wavelength range for ultraviolet waves?

  10 nm to 400 nm
• What is the wavelength range for X-rays?

  0.01 nm to 10 nm
• What is the wavelength range for gamma rays?

  Less than 0.01 nm
• How are electromagnetic waves arranged by increasing wavelength?

  1. Gamma rays: < 0.01 nm
  2. X-rays: 0.01 nm to 10 nm
  3. Ultraviolet: 10 nm to 400 nm
  4. Visible light: 400 nm to 700 nm
  5. Infrared: 700 nm to 1 mm
  6. Microwaves: 1 mm to 1 m
  7. Radio waves: > 1 mm
• Which electromagnetic wave has the longest wavelength?

  Radio waves
• Which electromagnetic wave has the shortest wavelength?

  Gamma rays
• How are electromagnetic waves arranged by decreasing frequency?

  1. Gamma rays: Highest frequency, highest energy
  2. X-rays: High frequency, high energy
  3. Ultraviolet: High frequency, high energy
  4. Visible light: Medium frequency, medium energy
  5. Infrared: Low frequency, low energy
  6. Microwaves: Low frequency, low energy
  7. Radio waves: Lowest frequency, lowest energy
• What does higher frequency in electromagnetic waves indicate?

  More energy carried by the wave
• Which electromagnetic wave carries the highest energy?

  Gamma rays
• Which electromagnetic wave carries the lowest energy?

  Radio waves