Electromagnetic spectrum: Definition, Types and uses

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Electromagnetic spectrum: Definition, Types and uses 

Electromagnetic spectrum


Electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wavelength

Types of Electromagnetic Radiation


There are different types of electromagnetic radiation



Types of Electromagnetic Radiation

range of frequencies 

Gamma rays

<3×1017 Hz

X rays

3×1016 - 3×1017 Hz

Ultraviolet rays

8 × 1014 to 3 × 1016    Hz

Visible lights

4 × 1014 to 8 × 1014  Hz

Infrared rays 

3×1012 to 4 × 1014  Hz

Microwaves 

3×109 to 3 × 1012 Hz

Radio waves

30-3×109 Hz


What is hertz


Well,

 1 hertz is equal to one cycle per second. So you can imagine gamma rays have nearly 3×1017 Hz of frequency . means gamma rays have  3×1017 vibration in one second. 


That's why gamma rays produce so much energy. 

But in radio waves have very less frequency upto 30 hertz, means 30 vibration per second. That's why it produces so much low energy.


Uses of EM spectrum

  1. Gamma rays 


These rays are used for diagnostic imaging in nuclear medicine, meant in Positron emission tomography (PET Scan).  Gamma rays kill microbes, and are used to sterilise food so that it will keep fresh for longer. These rays are also used to sterilise medical equipment.

  1. X rays

We all know that , x rays is using for checking various types of broken bones in our body

and it also detects cancer .


In astronomy, black holes emit X-rays, enabling us to study these phenomena. With the help of  X-ray telescopes, we can observe astronomical X-rays

  1. Ultraviolet lights


UV radiation is used in industries. It is also used in medical practices to kill bacteria. 


In astronomy , we can measure uv radiation of various objects outside the earth. This can be done by the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) are used to analyse UV light from outside targets.

  1. Visible lights


Yes our eyes see visible range of lights . We use visible light to make lasers to use in everything from surgery, to CD players. Visible light waves also used in TV, computer and mobile phone screens.

  1. Infrared Rays

Infrared radiation is used in following application


  • Thermal imaging cameras,

  • Remote controls,

  • Fiber optic cables, 

  • Infrared astronomy, 

  • Meteorology. 

  1. Microwaves

 

It is used in following technology, for example in 

 

  • point-to-point communication links, 

  • wireless networks, 

  • radar, 

  • satellite and spacecraft communication, 

  • medical diathermy and cancer treatment, 

  • remote sensing,

  • radio astronomy, 

  • particle accelerators, 

  • Spectroscopy 

  1. Radio waves 

It is used in modern technology like

  • mobile radio communication, 

  • broadcasting, 

  • radar and radio navigation systems, 

  • communications satellites, 

  • wireless computer networks etc

 


So electromagnetic radiation is very important in our daily life.


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