What is the ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Summary

This video explains the electromagnetic spectrum and its components, focusing on electromagnetic (E/M) waves. It describes how these waves are formed by oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which are perpendicular to each other and to the wave’s direction of travel. The spectrum is organized by frequency, ranging from low-frequency radio waves to high-frequency gamma rays. Real-life applications include music, visible light, and medical imaging. The video emphasizes how electromagnetic waves can travel through various mediums, including air, solids, and even the vacuum of space.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Electromagnetic waves are created by vibrations between electric and magnetic fields.
• 🧲 Electromagnetic waves are composed of oscillating magnetic and electric fields, which are perpendicular to each other and to the wave's direction of propagation.
• 📊 The electromagnetic spectrum is ordered by frequency, which is the number of wavelengths passing a point per second, measured in hertz.
• 🌍 Electromagnetic waves can travel through any medium, including air, solids, and even a vacuum (like outer space).
• 📻 Radio waves have very low frequency and wavelengths about the size of a soccer field.
• ⚾ Microwaves have wavelengths roughly the size of a baseball.
• 🔆 Visible light is in the middle of the spectrum, with wavelengths the size of bacteria, and its colors range from red (low frequency) to blue (high frequency).
• 🦷 X-rays have wavelengths slightly larger than a water molecule.
• 🔬 Gamma rays, produced by radioactive sources, have wavelengths the size of atoms.
• 🎶 The electromagnetic spectrum is used in everyday life for various applications, such as listening to music, using microwaves, and medical imaging like X-rays.

Q & A

What are electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves are waves created by vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic field, composed of oscillating magnetic and electric fields.

Why are they called electromagnetic waves?

They are called electromagnetic waves because they consist of both electric and magnetic fields that oscillate together.

How are the electric and magnetic fields oriented in an electromagnetic wave?

The electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.

How is the electromagnetic spectrum ordered?

The electromagnetic spectrum is ordered by frequency, which is the number of wavelengths that pass a fixed point per second.

What is the frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum?

The spectrum ranges from 300 kilohertz to an incredibly small 3 times 10 to the 21st power hertz.

How is frequency measured?

Frequency is measured in hertz.

What is unique about electromagnetic waves that allows them to travel through different mediums?

Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to propagate and can travel through air, solid material, or even a vacuum.

What is the wavelength of radio waves in the electromagnetic spectrum?

Radio waves have a very low frequency and a wavelength roughly the size of a soccer field.

How is visible light subdivided in the electromagnetic spectrum?

Visible light is subdivided by color, with red having the lowest frequency and blue having the highest frequency.

What is the size comparison between the wavelengths of X-rays and gamma rays?

X-rays have wavelengths slightly larger than a water molecule, while gamma rays are the size of atoms.

How is the electromagnetic spectrum used in everyday life?

It is used in everyday life for listening to music, visible light, microwave ovens, and even looking inside our bodies.