Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves,

microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, x rays,
and gamma rays. Visible light, which makes up only a tiny
fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum, is the only
electromagnetic radiation that humans can perceive with their
eyes.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves,
microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, x rays,
and gamma rays. Visible light, which makes up only a tiny
fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum, is the only
electromagnetic radiation that humans can perceive with their
eyes.
Electromagnetic Wavelength (m) Frequency (Hz) Energy (J)
(EM) wave

Radio wave > 1 x 10 -1 < 3 x 10 9 < 2 x 10 -24

Microwave 1 x 10 -3 - 1 x 10 -1 3 x 10 9 - 3 x 10 11 2 x 10 -24 - 2 x 10 -22

Infrared 7 x 10 -7 - 1 x 10 -3 3 x 10 11 - 4 x 10 14 2 x 10 -22 - 3 x 10 -19

Visible light 4 x 10 -7 - 7 x 10 -7 4 x 10 14 – 7.5 x 10 14 3 x 10 -19 - 5 x 10 -19

Ultraviolet 1 x 10 -8 - 4 x 10 -7 7.5 x 10 14 - 3 x 10 16 5 x 10 -19 - 2 x 10 -17

rays
X – rays 1 x 10 -11 - 1 x 10 -8 3 x 10 16 - 3 x 10 19 2 x 10 -17 - 2 x 10 -14

Gamma < 1 x 10 -11 > 3 x 10 19 > 2 x 10 -14

rays
 Radio communication/
TV broadcasting Radio broadcasting

RADIO WAVES

Satellite communication
 Terrestrial communication/
RADARS TV transmission

Microwave oven

MICROWAVES

Satellite communication
 Remote controls
photographs
Scanners for
medical diagnosis

INFRARED

telescope Autofocus camera

 Communication Car locking systems
devices Computers: mouse,
keyboards, printers

headphones INFRARED is also used in Signage/s

the given devices

Home security
telephones toys
systems
Production of Sterilization of drinking
Vitamin D fountains

ULTRAVIOLET
RAYS

Reading barcodes

Identifying original
from fake banknotes
Long wavelength x – rays are useful
in diagnosing bone fractures and
dense tumors

X - RAYS

Short wavelength x – rays are used

in industry to inspect welded
joints for faults
Used in killing cancer cells -
radiotherapy

GAMMA RAYS

Used in sterilizing medical

equipment
Electromagnetic Wavelength (m) Frequency (Hz) Energy (J)
(EM) wave

Radio wave > 1 x 10 -1 < 3 x 10 9 < 2 x 10 -24

Microwave 1 x 10 -3 - 1 x 10 -1 3 x 10 9 - 3 x 10 11 2 x 10 -24 - 2 x 10 -22

Infrared 7 x 10 -7 - 1 x 10 -3 3 x 10 11 - 4 x 10 14 2 x 10 -22 - 3 x 10 -19

Visible light 4 x 10 -7 - 7 x 10 -7 4 x 10 14 – 7.5 x 10 14 3 x 10 -19 - 5 x 10 -19

Ultraviolet 1 x 10 -8 - 4 x 10 -7 7.5 x 10 14 - 3 x 10 16 5 x 10 -19 - 2 x 10 -17

rays
X – rays 1 x 10 -11 - 1 x 10 -8 3 x 10 16 - 3 x 10 19 2 x 10 -17 - 2 x 10 -14

Gamma < 1 x 10 -11 > 3 x 10 19 > 2 x 10 -14

rays
 Electromagnetic (EM) wave Longest Highest Least
wavelength frequency energy

1. radio wave, visible light, gamma rays

2. microwave, UV rays, visible light

3. infrared, visible light, gamma rays

4. gamma rays, x – rays, UV rays

5. x – rays, infrared, visible light

6. infrared, microwave, radio wave

7. visible light, gamma rays, microwave

- proposed that light consists of tiny
particles called corpuscles that travel in
straight path through space.

- was a Dutch physicist and astronomer

who theorized that light consist of
series of transverse.
3. Thomas Young
- Observed that light produced fringes or
bright and dark regions on a screen when
it passed through pin holes or Young Slit
Experiment.
4. Max Planck
-Who proposed the quantum
theory of light.
5. Louis Victor de Broglie
- According to him, any moving particles or
object has an associated wave. He proposed the
theory of the dual nature of light called wave-
particle duality.

6. Albert Einstein
- He observed that a ray light is the path taken
by a photon traveling in a straight line. In some
experiments, light behaves like a particle, called
photons. His study about light is known as the
photoelectric effect.
6. James Clerk Maxwell
–Proposed the electromagnetic
theory of light. Light is included in
the electromagnetic wave.
 Interaction of Light on Materials
1. Luminous Body – a material provides their
own light.
e.g. electric bulb, flashlight, etc.

2. Nonluminous Body – a material do not emit

light but are illuminated by light from other
sources.
3. Transparent Materials – a material allows light
to pass through.
e.g. glass, clear thin plastic sheet, etc.

4. Opaque Materials – a material which do not

allow the passage of light.
e.g. bowl, plate, etc.
 Sources of Light
1. Natural Sources – the sun is the ultimate
source of energy and the most important
natural source of light.

2. Artificial Sources – thermal gas discharge and

luminescent materials radiate heat and light.
They are considered artificial light source.
e.g. candles, light, bulbs, etc.
Describing Wavelength
 Assignment
1. Research on the Development of the Speed of
Light. Show the computation how to solve the
speed of light.
2. Where do colors come from?
3. Why do we see objects in color?