Electromagnetic Waves  All electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.  They do not require a medium to travel through.  All types of electromagnetic radiation (ER) travel at the speed of light (300,000,000 m/s in a vacuum).

Electromagnetic Spectrum  This is a chart of all of the ER.  The types of ER are ordered based on wavelength and frequency.  As frequency increases; wavelength decreases as vice versa.  An increase in frequency also correlates with an increase in temperature and the amount of energy the wave has.

Radio Waves  Longest wavelength (10 m to 30 cm)  Lowest Frequency ( < 10 billion Hz or 10 gigahertz (GHz)  Used for AM and FM radio, TV, and RADAR

Microwaves  A little shorter wavelengths (30 cm to 1 mm)  A little higher frequency (10 GHz to 300 GHz or 0.3 terahertz (THz))  Used to heat up the water in foods to cook them  Also used in all cell phone communications.

Infrared Waves  Wavelength from 1 mm to mm or 760 nanometers (nm)  Frequency from 0.3 THz to 390THz  Waves picked up by night vision goggles so we can see in the dark  Used in heaters and toasters.

Visible Light  Wavelength from 760 nm (red) to 380 nm (violet)  Frequency from 390 THz (red) to 790 THz (violet)  Includes all of the colors that we can see with just our eyes.

Ultraviolet Waves  Wavelength from 380 nm to 8 nm  Frequency from 790 THz to 34,000 THz  Gives us sunburn (and can cause skin cancer)  Used in tanning beds.  Also used to sterilize medical equipment because it kills microorganisms.

X-Rays  Wavelength from 8 nm to nm (or 0.06 Angstrom Å)  Frequency from 34,000 THz to 50,000,000 THz  Easily travels through skin but not more solid things like bone. Therefore, they’re great for use in the medical field.  Long exposure can cause cancer.

Gamma Rays  Wavelength from 0.06 Å and smaller.  Frequency from 50,000,000 THz and above.  Used to kill cancer cells  Goes easily through the entire body, including bones, so it can be used to image the interior of the body.  Can also cause cancer.