Understanding the Electromagnetic Spectrum

electromagnetic spectrum
radio wave
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All electromagnetic waves travel at the same velocity (3 x 10^8 m/s) in free space, but they differ in frequency. The arrangement of electromagnetic radiations according to their wavelength or frequency is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum doesn’t have a definite upper or lower limit, and the boundaries between different regions aren’t sharply defined.

The table below outlines the types of electromagnetic waves, their frequencies, wavelengths, sources, and applications. As mentioned, EM waves include electric waves, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays.

EM wave typeFrequency (Hz)Wavelength (m)SourceApplications
Electric Wave50 to 605 x 10^6 to 6 x 10^6Weak radiation from AC circuitLighting
Radio Wave3 x 10^4 to 3 x 10^91 x 10^-1 to 10^4Oscillating circuitsRadio communication, television
Microwave3 x 10^8 to 3 x 10^111 x 10^-3 to 1Oscillating currents in special vacuum tubes, Gunn, IMPATT, Tunnel diodesRadar, TV, Satellite communication, remote sensing
Infrared1 x 10^13 to 4 x 10^147.5 x 10^-7 to 3 x 10^-5Excitation of atoms and moleculesGives information on the structure of molecules and of external atomic electron shells, remote sensing
Visible light4 x 10^14 to 8 x 10^143.75 x 10^-7 to 7.5 x 10^-7Excitation of atoms and vacuum sparkGives information on the structure of molecules and of external atomic electron shells, remote sensing
Ultra violet8 x 10^14 to 1 x 10^163 x 10^-8 to 3.75 x 10^-7Excitation of atoms and vacuum sparkGives information on the structure of molecules and of external atomic electron shells, remote sensing
X-ray1 x 10^16 to 3 x 10^191 x 10^-10 to 3 x 10^-8Bombardment of high atomic number target by electronsX-ray therapy, industrial radiography, medical radiography, crystallography
Gamma Ray3 x 10^19 to 5 x 10^206 x 10^-15 to 1 x 10^-10Emitted by radioactive substancesGives information about the structure of atomic nuclei
Cosmic Ray> 10^20< 10^-11Stars from other galaxies

Electromagnetic spectrum

Figure 1 depicts the electromagnetic spectrum, showcasing various waves as described in the table above.

Frequency to Wavelength Converter

Frequency to Wavelength Converter

Convert between frequency and wavelength using this handy online tool. Calculate frequency from wavelength, or wavelength from frequency, quickly and easily.

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RF Wavelength Calculator and Formula

RF Wavelength Calculator and Formula

Calculate the wavelength of a radio frequency (RF) signal using this online calculator. The formula and example are provided for easy understanding.

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