Electro Magnetic Radiation Essay Example For Students

Electro Magnetic Radiation Essay Electromagnetic Radiation Electromagnetic radiation is defined as theemission and transmission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves(Chang, pp. 246). An electromagnetic wave consists of two waves at perpendicularplanes, on representing the electrical field while the other represents themagnetic field. This spectrum is split up into about 81 octaves, much like theoctaves of sound, which scientists have categorized in order to depict theusefulness of the different properties. Theoretically electromagnetic waves canbe as long as the expansive width of the universe in one wave, to a wavelengththe size of a quanta (the smallest amount of energy that can be transmitted). That, however, is at this point in time negligible because we either cannotdetect wavelengths so extremely large or infinitesimally small. So generally thespectrum is regarded to be set between 30,000,000 km and .0001 angstroms (1 kmis equal to 1 X 10^13 angstroms). The longest and least energetic of theaccepted wavelengths are radio waves. Their wavelengths range from 300,000 km to30 cm and a frequency of 30 kHz to 3,000,000 kHz. The waves are used in thetransmission of radio and television signals. AM and FM radio signals fall inthe long-wave radio range, while TV signals use the short-wave radio range,somewhere in the 3 m wavelength. Radio waves take up about 30 of the 81 octaves. The next slightly more energetic and shorter wavelength is microwaves. Obviously, most are familiar with microwaves since they are always being used tocook food, but microwaves are also used in radiotelescopes and radar, even theradiation from a neutral hydrogen atom falls in this range. Microwave rangeextends from wavelengths of 30 cm to .3 cm and frequencies of 1-100 billioncycles per second. This corresponds to 6 1/2 octaves. Then comes the infraredrange. While much of the radio spectrum passes easily through our atmosphere,infrared is almost completely blocked off due to absorption by gaseous moleculesthat reside there. Infrared waves are present during the transmission of heat. Its wavelengths range from .3 cm to .000076 cm with frequencies from 100billion (10^11) to almost 10^14 cycles per second. 12 octaves are part of theinfrared spectrum. The visible spectrum with its single octave is the part ofthe spectrum that only the blind are denied. The atmosphere is highlytransparent to the visible spectrum, and is one reason why biologists believe itis the only part of the spectrum our eyes are sensitive to. Our sun producesintense amounts of visible light, which also explains why we dont perceivethe much less abundant radio wavelengths that are also impervious to ouratmosphere. The visible wavelengths range from .76 microns (7600 angstroms) to.38 microns (3800 angstroms) with frequencies of slightly less than aquadrillion (10^15). Many recognize UV or ultraviolet radiation because ofmodern societies obsession with tanning, and the cancerous growths that mayfollow. UV radiation is very energetic compared to the previous categoriesdiscussed and will burn with th e prolonged exposure, which tanning is a mildform of. Not much UV can get through the ozone layer, but a little does, and ourpolluting industrial revolution has caused our protective layer to break downallowing more UV radiation in and larger health problems to the world. It haswavelengths from 3800-100 angstroms, with frequencies from a quadrillion (10^15)to slightly less than 100 quadrillion (10^17). UV occupies about 5 octaves. X-rays, once again, are also well known to the public through their modernmedical usage. They are very energetic in nature and extremely harmful to theliving bodies, especially in the reproductive sites. They can easily passthrough skin and reveal the underlying structure of animals. X-rays have beenknown to also cause cancer and even mutations. Prolonged exposure leads toradiation poisoning and certain death. Its wavelengths range from 100-.1angstroms with frequencies of just under 10^17 to 10^20 cycles per second. Itcontains 10 octaves. Gamma rays are the newly discovered form of radiation thatis associated with space, and is given off in reactions concerning the nuclei ofatoms. These are the most energetic and shortest wavelengths that are very, verylethal. They are often called cosmic rays and so far have no practical use otherthan extraterrestrial observation. Its frequencies are 100 quintillion(10^20) and higher with wavelengths than 1/10th of an angstrom. Althoughscientists ha ve established these arbitrary borders for the electromagneticspectrum, there is truly no difference between them. Their only differences liein the amount of energy they contain, their wavelengths, and their frequencies. .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 , .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .postImageUrl , .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 , .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:hover , .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:visited , .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:active { border:0!important; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:active , .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60 .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u14e743c818f0a02fc5f7dc98937aab60:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Day After EssayThey all behave as waves and particles, and all travel at the unerring speed oflight, 300,000 Km per second. BibliographyField, George B. and Chaisson, Eric J, The Invisible Universe: Probing theFrontiers of Astrophysics. Boston, Birkhauser, 1985. Asimov, Isaac, Adding aDimension. New York, Double Day, 1964.