Download The Electromagnetic Spectrum

THE
ELECTROMAGNETIC
SPECTRUM
Shows the different classifications of
electromagnetic radiation based on wavelength.
Parts of a Wave
Radio Waves
■ Wavelength: > 1 m
■ Man made: By transmitters
■ Naturally made: Stars, sparks, lightning
■ Uses: Communication including FM/AM radio,
“Walkie-talkies”, Police dispatch
Microwaves
■ Wavelength: 1 – 10-3 m
■ Man made: By transmitters
■ Naturally made: Stars
■ Uses: Cook food, Cell phones, Radar
Infra-Red
■ Wavelength: 10-3 – 10-6 m
■ Man made: By heat sources
■ Naturally made: Stars, Flames, Humans
■ Uses: Remote control, Heat lamps, Night vision
Visible Light
■ Wavelength: 10-7 m
■ Man made: By light bulbs
■ Naturally made: Stars
■ Uses: To see everything around us!
VISIBLE LIGHT
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet
– 650 nm
– 590 nm
– 570 nm
– 510 nm
– 475 nm
– 445 nm
– 400 nm
Ultra-Violet
■ Wavelength: 10-8 m
■ Man made: By lamps
■ Naturally made: Sun
■ Uses: Tanning, Detecting fake money, “Glow-inthe-dark”
X-Rays
■ Wavelength: 10-8 – 10-12 m
■ Man made: By X-Ray machine
■ Naturally made: Stars
■ Uses: Medicine (fractures and brain scans)
Gamma Rays
■ Wavelength: <10-12 m
■ Naturally made: Stars & radioactive elements
■ Uses: Cancer treatment, Sterilize food and
medical equipment
Wavelength, Frequency, Energy Relationship
Increasing Wavelength
Increasing Frequency & Energy
Star Spectrometer