The Electromagnetic Spectrum

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The Electromagnetic Spectrum: An In-depth Look at the different bandwidths current uses and potential hazards The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into bandwidths, which are determined by the frequency of their waves. The frequency is mostly associated with temperature, the hotter the radiant energy the shorter the wavelength, the cooler the radiant energy the longer the wavelength. The shorter the wavelength the more energetic the wave will be, which means these waves can cause harm when they are not used responsibly. The electromagnetic spectrum can be divided into the solar spectrum, which consists of short-wave radiation bandwidths, the earth spectrum, which consists of long-wave radiation bandwidths, and the visible spectrum, which is the only part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. The Sun creates incoming short-wave radiation and the earth turns it into outgoing long-wave radiation, this is known as net radiation, or the earth’s radiation balance. The electromagnetic spectrum can be broken down into even smaller parts called bandwidths and each bandwidth provides its own unique qualities. In principle the electromagnetic spectrum is thought to be infinite and continuous but in this paper we are going to look at the bandwidths that we know of and are currently being used in science today. The bandwidths of the electromagnetic spectrum that we are going to take a look at include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible radiation, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. Many of these bandwidths are at work in our everyday lives. Radio waves are used in our radios, televisions, and mobile phones while microwave radiation is at work in our microwaves and is also widely used in our communication systems. Others

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