Electromagnetic Spectrum Powerpoint

Which day has the MOST sunlight in the
United States?
a. March 25
b. June 18
c. September 26
d. December 19
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
http://video.pbs.org/video/2219781967/
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Waves of the
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electromagnetic Waves
Believe it or not, you are being “showered” all the time, not
by rain but by waves. Electromagnetic waves!
• An electromagnetic wave consists of vibrating electric and
magnetic fields that move through space at the speed of
light (186,000 miles per second!).
• The energy that

is transferred by
electromagnetic
waves is called
electromagnetic
radiation.
• Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. They move
up and down or side to side.
• The distance from the crest of one wave to the crest of the
next wave is the wavelength.
• The number of
these waves that
pass a given point
in a certain amount
of time is the wave’s
frequency.
• The Sun (and every star) gives off electromagnetic radiation.
• On Earth, humans use different types of electromagnetic radiation
for different purposes.
• Humans can detect some types electromagnetic radiation:
visible light and infrared radiation (heat).
• But there are other types of electromagnetic radiation that
humans can’t detect: radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet
radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays.
• All of these types of radiation can travel through space at the
speed of light.
What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete range of
electromagnetic waves placed in order of decreasing wavelength
(increasing frequency).
Notice that the shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency.

Here’s an easy way to remember the order of electromagnetic
waves by decreasing wavelength (increasing frequency):
• Real (radio)
• Men (microwaves)
• In (infrared)
• Violet (visible light)
• Underwear (ultraviolet)
(are)
• Extremely (x-rays)
• Gorgeous (gamma rays)

The only difference between the different electromagnetic waves is
their wavelength and the amount of energy they carry. There is a
relationship between wavelength, frequency, and energy.
REMEMBER IT!!
long wavelength = low frequency = low energy
AND
short wavelength = high frequency = high energy


Radio Waves
• Radio waves are the electromagnetic waves with the longest
wavelengths, lowest frequency, and lowest energy.
• On Earth, broadcast stations use radio waves to send out radio
and TV signals.
Microwaves
• Microwaves are actually a type of radio
wave with slightly shorter wavelengths
and higher frequencies.
• Microwave radiation is used in
microwave ovens to heat food. It is
also used in cell phone communication
and police radar (Radio Detection and
Ranging).
Infrared Rays
• Infrared rays have shorter
wavelengths, higher frequencies, and
higher energy than radio waves.
• Humans detect infrared radiation as
heat.
• An infrared camera takes pictures
using infrared rays instead of visible
light. These are called thermograms.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum The Nature of
Click below to watch a movie about infrared radiation.

http://www.windows2universe.org/physical_science/magnetis
m/animations/infrared_more_than_eyes_can_see_video.html
Visible light
• Visible light has shorter wavelengths,
higher frequencies, and higher energy than
infrared rays.
• This type of radiation is detectable by
human eyes.
• The colors in the visible spectrum include
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo,
and violet.
• White light is a mixture of all the colors.
Ultraviolet radiation
• Ultraviolet radiation (UV) has shorter
wavelengths, higher frequencies, and
higher energy than visible light.
• A small amount of UV radiation is
beneficial to humans for producing
vitamin D.
• However, too much exposure to UV
radiation can cause skin cancer.
X-rays
• X-ray radiation has very short wavelengths,
high frequencies, and higher energy than
UV radiation.
• Because they are such a high-energy
radiation, x-rays can penetrate most matter.
• X-rays are used to make pictures of bones
and teeth inside the human body.
• Too much exposure to x-rays can cause
cancer.
Gamma rays
• Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths, highest
frequencies, and highest energy of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
• Gamma rays are generated by radioactive atoms and
nuclear explosions. They are the most penetrating of
all electromagnetic radiation. Gamma rays can
penetrate 6 feet of concrete!
• Gamma rays can kill living cells, which doctors use to
their advantage. Using gamma rays, surgeons can
precisely target and kill cancer cells in the body.
• Uncontrolled exposure to gamma radiation is deadly.
Electromagnetic waves are all around you–in your home,
your neighborhood, and your town.
• The electromagnetic
waves with the highest
energy can penetrate
and damage the cells of
living things.
• These include ultraviolet
radiation, x-ray radiation,
and gamma radiation.
• Although some UV
radiation reaches the
surface of Earth, the
atmosphere of Earth
blocks all x-ray and
gamma radiation.

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Which day has the MOST sunlight in the

• The energy that

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

long wavelength = low frequency = low energy

short wavelength = high frequency = high energy

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Click below to watch a movie about infrared radiation.

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

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