Electromagnetic

radiation
Clasification. Characterization

Radio waves
Radio waves have wavelengths
ranging from 100 km to 1mm. Like
other types of electromagnetic
radiation, they travel with the speed of
light

Artificially generated radio waves are used for fixed

and mobile radio communication, TV and radio
signal, communications satellites, navigation
systems and computer networks. Radio waves of
different wavelengths have different propagation
properties in the atmosphere: The long ones cover
small areas very efficiently, while the short ones are
reflected by ionosphere and can cover the entire
Earth.

Radio waves can be

generated naturally,
along with the
lightning or can be
emitted by
astronomical objects.

Microwaves

short radio waves

Microwaves are generated by

electronic installations as radio waves
are. Their wavelength is between 30
cm and 1 mm. They are used in
telecommunication systems and
scientific research, to study the
properties of atoms, molecules and
ionized gas. They are also used in daily
routine for cooking.

RADAR waves -

microwaves

The basic principle of RADAR is the

reflection of microwaves on solid
surfaces. The receiver, by analyzing
the time difference between the
emission and reception of the reflected
wave by a detected body, can
appreciate its distance from the
microwave source.

Infrared light
Infrared waves are electromagnetic waves
emitted by warm bodies. They are
produced by oscillations of molecules,
atoms and ions, and the amplitude of
these oscillations depend on the
temperature of the bodies and electrons
transitions to the inner shells of the
atoms, with lower energy levels. They are
strongly absorbed by water or other
substances, thus heating them.

Infrared waves

Light radiation (visible)

It can be perceived by the human eye
as being emitted from stars,
incandescent filament lamps whose
temperature can reach 2000 - 3000
C, fluorescent lamps, electric arcs.
Light emission is obtained from
transitions of electrons in lower energy
levels of atoms.

The light sources varies according to the

manner in which the transfer of energy
from the emitted electron beam is
realized. Thus, if the power comes from
the heat, the heating element is called the
source. If other initial energy is
different(chemical or electrical) power is
called luminescence. A particular case of
monochromatic source and the Directive is
the laser.

UV radiations are generated by the molecules

and atoms of an electric discharge in gases.
The sun is a powerful source of ultraviolet
radiation . Radiations contained in sunlight
are absorbed mostly in the ozone layer of the
atmosphere . They lead to changes in the
skin : pigmentation , burning, cancer.
Ultraviolet light encourages the formation of
vitamin D and kills bacteria . It is also useful
in dermatology, fluorescent lighting and in
industrial numbering installations. Radiations
are obtained following electron transitions to
higher energy levels to lower energy levels .

X Rays
X-rays are ionizing electromagnetic
radiation with shorter wavelengths, varying
between 0.1 and 100 (ngstrms).
During his experiments, the German
physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen
discovered that a metal body emits highly
penetrant radiation when bombarded with
fast electrons. He named this radiation Xrays, which were later named Roentgen
radiation.

X-rays are used in medicine (for the

medical radiographs) because they are
absorbed differently by muscles or bones
and impress photographic plates. This kind
of radiation are also used for therapeutic
purposes (because of their properties,
they fight against sick cells development).
They produce the fluorescence of some
substances). Roentgen rays are also useful
in uncovering art forgeries.

Gamma radiation
Gamma radiations are electromagnetic
waves of very high frequencies produced by
the interaction of subatomic particles. They
are emitted in nuclear decay processes and
nuclear reactions in stars(these are
absorbed by the atmosphere). Also, they
are produced in land-based nuclear
reactors. These radiations are the most
penetrating, having the highest frequencies
and energies. They are used in flaw
detection, sterilization and medicine.