Electromagnetic Spectrum http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

Radiation Energy In the form of waves or particles Travels and spreads out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EM_Spectrum_Properties_edit.svg

Radio Waves Longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum Range from the length of a football to larger than Earth Objects in space can emit radio waves Used for communications http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

Microwaves Range from a few centimeters to football length Can penetrate haze, light rain and snow, clouds, and smoke Used for cooking, communication, remote sensing http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

Infrared Range of wavelengths “Far” infrared rays are thermal – we feel them as heat “Near” infrared cannot be felt; used for remote controls http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

Visible Light Only electromagnetic waves we can see The colors of the rainbow Each color has a different wavelength Red is longest ; Violet is shortest wavelength When all the waves are seen together, they make white light http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

Ultraviolet Some insects can see these waves Responsible for sunburns Useful for studying stars and galaxies http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

X-Rays X-ray light tends to act like particles Hard to penetrate atmosphere, placed on satellites for space exploration Used in medicine http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems

Gamma Rays Created by radioactive atoms & nuclear explosions Can kill living cells; used to treat cancer http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems