Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of

electromagnetic radiation, which is energy that disperses and expands as it
travels. This includes everything from the visible light emitted by a household
lamp to the radio waves broadcast by radio stations, illustrating the diverse
forms of electromagnetic radiation.
The sun is our planet’s principal source of energy, and its energy travels in
the form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic energy moves across
space at the speed of light in the form of waves of electric and magnetic
fields with a range of frequencies or wavelengths.
Electromagnetic radiation is a common occurrence in our daily lives.
All electromagnetic waves, from visible light, that our eyes can detect to
microwave radiation that heats our meals or radio waves that power our
radios, X-rays that enable doctors to identify any injury in our bones, or UV
radiation emitted by a hot surface, are EM waves.

What is an Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Consider the electromagnetic spectrum as a wide cosmic highway that

facilitates the movement of various kinds of light. There is a vast spectrum of
energy waves present in this, ranging from extremely short waves like X-rays
to long, languid waves like radio broadcasts. This spectrum extends beyond
the light that our eyes can detect.
The tiny portion of light that we can see, known as visible light, which
includes every color in the rainbow, is located exactly in the middle of this
enormous spectrum. But there’s so much more to it than that. On one
extreme are the incredibly small and intense gamma and X-rays, which are
employed in medicine to view the body and can penetrate through solid
objects. The radio waves, on the other hand, are like the long, slow waves
that carry your favorite radio station’s music through the air to your radio.

Electromagnetic Waves
Waves created by the interaction of vibrating electric and magnetic fields are
known as electromagnetic waves. An oscillating electric and magnetic field
makes up EM waves.
A charged particle, in general, produces an electric field. This electric
field exerts a push on other charged particles. Positive charges accelerate in
the field’s direction, whereas negative charges accelerate in the opposite
direction of the field. A traveling charged particle creates a magnetic field.
This magnetic field exerts a push on other moving particles. Because the
force acting on these charges is always perpendicular to their movement, it
only affects the direction of the velocity, not the speed. As a result, a
speeding charged particle generates an electromagnetic
field. Electromagnetic waves are nothing more than electric and magnetic
fields traveling at the speed of light c through open space.
When a charged particle oscillates about an equilibrium location, it is said to
be accelerating. If the charged particle’s oscillation frequency is f, it creates
an electromagnetic wave of frequency f. The wavelength of this wave may
be calculated using the formula:
λ = c/f
Electromagnetic waves are a type of energy transfer that occurs in space.
Representation of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is a collection of frequencies, wavelengths,
and photon energies of electromagnetic waves spanning from 1Hz to
1025Hz, equivalent to wavelengths ranging from a few hundred kilometres to
a size smaller than the size of an atomic nucleus. The electromagnetic
spectrum can thus be described as the range of all types of electromagnetic
radiation in basic terms. In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves travel at the
same speed as light. For different forms of electromagnetic waves, however,
the wavelengths, frequencies, and photon energy will vary.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Diagram

Terms Related to Electromagnetic Waves

The frequency (f), wavelength (λ), energy (E) of an electromagnetic wave
are related to each other as:
λ=c/f
f=E/h
E=hc/λ
where
• c=3×108m/s represents the speed of light in a vacuum
• h=6.626×10–34J.s represents Planck’s constant.
Electromagnetic Waves in Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet
radiation, X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays make up the full range
(electromagnetic spectrum) in decreasing order of frequency and rising
order of wavelength.
Radio Waves
• The rapid travel of charged particles across conducting wires causes
these waves.
• Radio, television, and telecom signals are transmitted through them.
• These waves have a frequency range of around 3kHz to 300MHz.
• In the ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) band, cellular phones employ radio
waves to convey voice communication.
• Radio picks up radio waves that are broadcast by radio stations. Radio
waves can be emitted by gases and stars in space. The majority of radio
waves are used for TV and mobile communication.
Microwaves
• Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation that has a frequency
of a few gigahertz (GHz).
• Klystrons, magnetrons, and Gunn diodes are unique vacuum tubes that
produce them.
• Microwaves are commonly utilised in aviation navigation due to their short
wavelengths.
• These rays are employed in microwaves, which aid in the heating of
meals in homes and offices. It’s also used by astronomers to figure out
and understand the structure of surrounding galaxies and stars.
Infrared Rays
• Infrared waves are produced by hot bodies and molecules and are thus
referred to as heatwaves.
• Infrared rays are near the low-frequency or long-wavelength end of the
visible light spectrum.
• The greenhouse effect caused by these rays is critical for maintaining
global warming and average temperatures.
• Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour trap these
radiations in the earth’s atmosphere.
• Night vision goggles make use of these radiations. Infrared light
generated by objects in the dark can be read and captured by these
devices. Infrared light is used to trace interstellar dust in space. Infrared
radiation is emitted by electronic devices and is commonly employed in
remote switches for a variety of household gadgets.
Visible Rays
• Visible rays are electromagnetic waves that can be seen with the naked
eye. They are the most common type of electromagnetic waves.
• These can be found in the frequency range of 4×1014Hz–7×1014Hz or the
wavelength range of 400nm–700nm.
• The visible light rays reflected or released from the objects around us
assist us in seeing the world, and the range of visible radiation is different
for different creatures.
• Devices that emit light in the visible area of the electromagnetic
spectrum include bulbs, lamps, candles, LEDs, tube lights, and so on.
Ultraviolet Rays
• Although the sun is the primary source of ultraviolet radiation on Earth,
the ozone layer absorbs the majority of UV energy before it reaches the
atmosphere.
• UV radiation has a wavelength of 400nm–1nm.
• These radiations are emitted by special lamps and extremely hot bodies,
and in big numbers, they can cause significant injury to humans. It tans
the skin and creates burns.
• Because these radiations may be focused on tiny beams, they are used in
high precision applications such as LASIK or laser-based eye surgery.
• UV lamps are used in water purifiers to eliminate microorganisms that
may be present in the water.
• When working with UV welding arcs, welders use special goggles to
protect their eyes.
X-Rays
• This electromagnetic radiation is found outside of the ultraviolet (UV)
region of the electromagnetic spectrum and is extremely valuable in the
medical field.
• The wavelength range of X-ray radiation is 1nm–10–3nm.
• By blasting a metal target with high-energy electrons, X-rays can be
produced.
• X-rays are a diagnostic technique in medicine that can be quite helpful in
the treatment of some types of cancer. To find the source of the problem,
a doctor utilises an x-ray scanner to scan our bones or teeth.
Overexposure to x-rays can cause harm or death to the organism’s
healthy tissues. As a result, extreme caution must be exercised when
dealing with x-rays.
• At the airport checkpoint, security agents utilise it to search through
passengers’ luggage. X-rays are also emitted by the universe’s heated
gases.
Gamma-Rays
• The universe is the largest gamma-ray generator.
• These rays are in the electromagnetic spectrum‘s higher frequency
region.
• Gamma rays have wavelengths ranging from 10–12m to 10–14m.
• Radioactive nuclei release high-frequency radiations, which are also
created during nuclear processes.
• Gamma rays have a wide range of medical applications, including the
destruction of cancerous cells. Gamma-ray imaging is a technique used
by doctors to examine the insides of patients’ bodies.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Wavelength and Frequency Table
The table provided below provides the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Wavelength and Frequency of all types of electromagnetic radiations:
 Types of Radiation Frequency range (Hz) Wavelength Range

Gamma-rays 1020-1024 <10-12 m

X-rays 1017-1020 1 nm – 1 pm

Ultraviolet rays 1015-1017 400 nm – 1 nm

Visible rays 4 x 1014 – 7.5 x 1014 750 nm – 400 nm

Near-infrared 1 x 1014 – 4 x 1014 2.5 μm – 750 nm

Infrared rays 1013 – 1014 25 μm – 2.5 μm

Microwaves 3 x 1011 – 1013 11 mm – 25 μm

Radio waves < 3x 1011 >1 mm

Spectroscopy
In terms of wavelength or frequency, spectroscopy is a method for
determining the emission and absorption of light and other radiation as it
interacts with matter.
As a ray of light passes through matter, it is scattered. It interacts with atoms
and molecules of the given substance, and these atoms interact with light
waves of similar frequencies based on their resonance frequencies. When
light rays collide with an atom in an excited state, certain distinctive
frequencies are released, resulting in a line spectrum. This line spectrum is
made up of a collection of emission lines that isn’t continuous. The
wavelengths of the light produced are separated. When light with continuous
wavelengths is passed through a low-density material, an absorption
spectrum is created. Atoms and molecules with characteristic frequencies
similar to light waves will be absorbed, resulting in a continuous spectrum
with a few lines missing.
Applications / Uses of Electromagnetic Spectrum
The presence of the full electromagnetic spectrum was originally
demonstrated by Maxwell. His mathematics suggested that electromagnetic
radiation may have an endless number of frequencies. The electromagnetic
spectrum is a frequency and wavelength-based organisation of various
radiations. The following are some examples of EM-spectrum applications:
1. Hertz was the first to discover radio waves and microwaves. Wireless
television and radio, as well as mobile communication, arose as a result
of these waves.
2. Ultraviolet radiation is useful for the ionisation of atoms, which aids in the
initiation of numerous chemical reactions.
3. The gamma rays were discovered by Paul Villard. These are employed in
the development of nuclear medicine and ionisation experiments.
4. X-rays were invented by Roentgen. These are used to discover problems
with the bones and teeth, as well as abnormalities.
5. The visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum allows us to
see the world around us. This part of the electromagnetic spectrum aids
in the perception of all objects, including colours.