Question

What do you mean by electromagnetic spectrum? Give the complete electromagnetic spectrum.

Answer 1

Step 1: To explain the electromagnetic spectrum:

1. The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wavelengths and photon energies.
2. The frequency of electromagnetic radiation ranges from$1Hz$ to${10}^{25}Hz$.
3. The most familiar electromagnetic waves are the visible light waves.
4. There is no sharp division between different waves but the classification is based roughly on how the waves are produced.

Step 2: Explanation of each wave of the electromagnetic spectrum:

1. Radio waves: Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are used in the broadcast radio stations, television, etc.
2. Microwave: The frequency of the microwave region extends from $3\times {10}^3-{10}^{5}MHz$or$1cm-1mm$ wavelength. These waves are helpful in communication, cooking, etc.
3. Infrared: Infrared radiations are invisible to human eyes but can be felt as heat. It is used widely in night vision goggles, toasters, heat lamps, etc.
4. Ultraviolet: Ultraviolet is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength$100nmto400nm$ shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays. It causes skin tanning and burns.
5. Visible light: Visible light rays are the electromagnetic radiations visible to the eyes. The human eye can detect wavelengths$400to750nm$.
6. X-ray: X-rays are electromagnetic radiations of extremely short wavelengths and high frequency, wavelengths range from about$1nm-1pm$. X-ray machines are used to take our bones or teeth images, check shorter than visible light for fractures, etc.
7. Gamma-ray: Gamma waves have the highest frequency among all electromagnetic waves. The frequency of these electromagnetic waves ranges from${10}^{14}-{10}^{18}MHz$ Gamma-ray imaging is used to see inside our bodies.