The Electromagnetic Spectrum Overview
Ever wondered how your mobile phone connects to the internet or how doctors can see inside your body? It's all thanks to the electromagnetic spectrum - a complete range of electromagnetic waves that differ only in their wavelength and frequency.
All electromagnetic radiation shares three key properties that make them unique. They're all transverse waves, they all transfer energy from one place to another, and they all travel through air at exactly 3 × 10⁸ ms⁻¹ (the speed of light). This consistency makes them incredibly useful for countless applications.
The spectrum ranges from radio waves (with wavelengths around 10³ metres) all the way to gamma rays (with tiny wavelengths of 10⁻¹² metres). Between these extremes, you'll find microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, and X-rays - each with their own special uses.
Key Insight: Higher frequency radiation carries more energy and causes more damage to living things - that's why gamma rays are deadly whilst radio waves are harmless!