Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are waves that can travel through space. They are generated by vibrating electric charges and have both electric and magnetic field components.
They can travel through a vacuum, meaning they do not need a medium to move. This is how light from the Sun reaches Earth.
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. This spectrum is divided into different sections based on the wave’s frequency.

The electromagnetic spectrum is generally divided into seven regions in increasing order of frequency: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Radio waves have the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency. They are used for communication systems like television and radio.
Microwaves are used for radar, satellite communication, and cooking food.
Infrared waves are emitted by hot objects and can be felt as heat. They are used in remote controls and thermal imaging.
Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see. Different colours correspond to different frequencies of light.
Ultraviolet light is emitted by the Sun and can cause skin to tan or burn. It is used in sterilization technology due to its ability to kill bacteria.
X-rays can penetrate our body and are used in medical imaging to see bones and internal structures.
Gamma rays have the highest frequency and the shortest wavelength. They are produced by radioactive atoms and nuclear explosions. They’re also used in medical treatments.

Electromagnetic waves all carry energy. The amount of energy in an electromagnetic wave is directly proportional to its frequency.
As a result, gamma rays are more dangerous than radio waves due to their higher frequency.
All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 metres per second.
The speed of an electromagnetic wave is given by the equation v = fλ, where v is the speed of the light wave, f is the frequency and λ is the wavelength.
Higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths and vice versa.