Gagan 1

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
GAGAN
INTRODUCTION
• The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation.

Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light
that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a
radio station are also the types of electromagnetic radiation.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Types Of Electromagnetic Radiation
RADIO LIGHT
ULTRAVIOLE GAMMA
MICROWAVE
T RAYS
INFRA-RED X-RAYS
RADIO WAVES
• Radio waves are produced by the accelerated motion of
charges in conducting wires. They are used in radio and
television communication systems. They are generally in the
frequency range from 500 kHz to about 1000 MHz. The AM
(amplitude modulated) band is from 530 kHz to 1710 kHz.
Higher frequencies upto 54 MHz are used for short wave
bands. TV waves range from 54 MHz to 890 MHz. The FM
(frequency modulated) radio band extends from 88 MHz to
108 MHz. Cellular phones use radio waves to transmit voice
communication in the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) band
• Radio captures radio waves emitted by radio stations,

bringing your favorite tunes. Radio waves are also emitted by
stars and gases in space.
MICROWAVES
• Microwaves (short-wavelength radio waves),
with frequencies in the gigahertz (GHz) range,
are produced by special vacuum tubes (called
klystrons, magnetrons and Gunn diodes). Due
to their short wavelengths, they are suitable for
the radar systems used in aircraft navigation.
Radar also provides the basis for the speed
guns used to time fast balls, tennisserves, and
automobiles. Microwave ovens are an
interesting domestic application of these waves
• Microwave radiation will cook your popcorn in
just a few minutes, but is also used by
astronomers to learn about the structure of
nearby galaxies.
INFRA-RED
• Infrared waves are produced by hot bodies and
molecules. This band lies adjacent to the low-
frequency or long-wave length end of the visible
spectrum. Infrared waves are sometimes referred to as
heat waves. This is because water molecules present in
most materials readily absorb infrared waves
• Infrared radiation also plays an important role in
maintaining the earth’s warmth or average temperature
through the greenhouse effect. Incoming visible light is
absorbed by the earth’s surface and reradiated as infrared
radiations
• Night vision goggles pick up the infrared light emitted
by our skin and objects with heat. In space, infrared
light helps us map the dust between stars.
VISIBLE LIGHT
• It is the most familiar form of electromagnetic waves

• Visible light emitted or reflected from objects around
us provides us information about the world. Our eyes
are sensitive to this range of wavelengths. Different
animals are sensitive to different range of wavelengths.
For example, snakes can detect infrared waves, and the
‘visible’ range of many insects extends well into the
ultraviolet.
• Our eyes detect visible light. Fireflies, light bulbs, and
stars all emit visible light
ULTRAVIOLET
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is produced by

special lamps and very hot bodies
• Ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the Sun
and are the reason skin tans and burns.
"Hot" objects in space emit UV radiation as
well
X-RAYS
• X-rays are used as a diagnostic tool in

medicine and as a treatment for certain forms
of cancer. Because X-rays damage or destroy
living tissues and organisms, care must be
taken to avoid unnecessary or over exposure.
• A dentist uses X-rays to image your teeth, and
airport security uses them to see through your
bag. Hot gases in the Universe also emit X-
rays.
GAMMA RAYS
• Gamma radiation is produced in nuclear reactions

and also emitted by radioactive nuclei
• Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths and the
most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic
spectrum. They are produced by the hottest and most
energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron
stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions
around black holes
• Doctors use gamma-ray imaging to see inside your
body. The biggest gamma-ray generator of all is the
Universe.
USES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
1. Radio waves - radio and television
2. Microwaves - satellite communications and cooking food
3. Infrared - Electrical heaters, cooking food and infrared cameras
4. Visible light - Fibre optic communications
5. Ultraviolet - Energy efficient lamps, sun tanning
6. X-rays - Medical imaging and treatments
7. Gamma rays - Medical imaging and treatments
NCERT
• At the time Maxwell predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves, the
only familiar electromagnetic waves were the visible light waves. The
existence of ultraviolet and infrared waves was barely established. By the
end of the nineteenth century, X-rays and gamma rays had also been
discovered. We now know that, electromagnetic waves include visible light
waves, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet and
infrared waves. The classification of em waves according to frequency is
the electromagnetic spectrum. There is no sharp division between one
kind of wave and the next. The classification is based roughly on how the
waves are produced and/or detected.
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ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

• The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation.

• Radio captures radio waves emitted by radio stations,

• It is the most familiar form of electromagnetic waves

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is produced by

• X-rays are used as a diagnostic tool in

• Gamma radiation is produced in nuclear reactions

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