Light Energy Energy given off by electrons. It travels in waves, and can travel through space.

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, a combination of electrical and magnetic energy

Radio Waves                                                        Radio waves can be longer than a football field or as short as a football Used for TVs, radios, and cell phones to transmit information

Microwaves Wavelengths can be measured in centimeters Microwave ovens use wavelengths close to a foot in length Good for transmitting information because microwaves can penetrate haze, light rain, cloud and smoke. Used in radars, like doppler radar for sensing weather forecasts.

Infrared Rays Longer infrared rays have wavelengths about the size of a pinhead; these longer rays are thermal. Experience everyday in the form of heat! Some animals, like vipers, can see infrared Shorter rays are about the size of cells. These aren’t hot; used in TV remotes. People, animals, stars, galaxies all emit infrared

Visible Light Only radiant energy we can see All wavelengths see together make white light ROY G BIV

Ultraviolet Light (UV Rays) Can’t see with the human eye, but some insects, like bumblebees can see them! Sun emits light at all wavelengths. But UV rays are responsible for sunburns Most are blocked from entering by the ozone layer Scientists use UV rays to detect stars and galaxies

X-rays X-rays can travel through skin But things like bone, metal, or teeth are more dense than skin, and thus absorb the X-rays. X-rays show us a “shadow” of these denser materials. Many things in space emit X-rays: black holes, stars (like the Sun and others), supernova remnants, comets!

Gamma rays Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths, and they have the most energy Generated by radioactive atoms, nuclear explosions, or supernova explosions Can kill cells Used to kill cancerous cells or kill bacteria on fruit

Gamma Ray Gun (NOTE: This is not real!!!)