Electromagnetic spectrum 10134 225933959 2008-07-16T02:23:12Z Vsmith 84417 /* Gamma rays */ rmv many [[Image:EM Spectrum Properties edit.svg|thumb|450px|Although some radiations are marked as ''N'' for no in the diagram, some waves do in fact penetrate the atmosphere, although extremely minimally compared to the other radiations]] The '''electromagnetic (EM) spectrum''' is the range of all possible [[electromagnetic radiation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/dict_ei.html#em_spectrum|title=Imagine the Universe! Dictionary</ref> The "electromagnetic spectrum" (usually just ''spectrum'') of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation from that particular object. The electromagnetic spectrum extends from below the frequencies used for modern radio (at the long-wavelength end) through gamma radiation (at the short-wavelength end), covering wavelengths from thousands of [[kilometre]]s down to a fraction the size of an [[atom]]. It's thought that the short wavelength limit is in the vicinity of the [[Planck length]], and the long wavelength limit is the size of the [[universe]] itself (see [[physical cosmology]]), although in principle the spectrum is [[infinity|infinite]] and [[Continuum (theory)|continuous]]. [[Image:Light spectrum.png|right|frame|Legend<ref>[http://cbst.ucdavis.edu/education/courses/winter-2006-IST8A/ist8a_2006_01_09light.pdf What is Light?] – [[UC Davis]] lecture slides</ref><ref>[http://hypertextbook.com/physics/electricity/em-spectrum/ The Electromagnetic Spectrum, The Physics Hypertextbook]</ref><ref>[http://www.vlf.it/frequency/bands.html Definition of frequency bands on vlf.it]</ref> {| border=0 padding=0 cellpadding=0 |- |γ= [[Gamma ray]]s|||MIR= Mid infrared|||HF= [[High frequency|High freq.]] |- |HX= Hard [[X-ray|X-Rays]]||FIR= Far infrared||MF= [[Medium frequency|Medium freq.]] |- |SX= Soft X-Rays||[[Radio waves]]||LF= [[Low frequency|Low freq.]] |- |EUV= Extreme [[ultraviolet]]||EHF= [[Extremely high frequency|Extremely high freq.]]||VLF= [[Very low frequency|Very low freq.]] |- |NUV= Near ultraviolet||SHF= [[Super high frequency|Super high freq.]]||VF/ULF= [[Voice frequency|Voice freq.]] |- |[[Visible light]]||UHF= [[Ultra high frequency|Ultra high freq.]]||SLF= [[Super low frequency|Super low freq.]] |- |NIR= Near [[Infrared]]||VHF= [[Very high frequency|Very high freq.]]||ELF= [[Extremely low frequency|Extremely low freq.]] |- | | |Freq=Frequency |}]] == Range of the spectrum == The spectrum covers EM wave energy having [[wavelength|wavelengths]] from thousands of meters down to fractions of the size of an [[atom]]. Frequencies of 30 Hz and below can be produced by and are important in the study of certain stellar nebulae<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cv.nrao.edu/course/astr534/Pulsars.html|title=Essential Radio Astronomy: Pulsar Properties|author=J. J. Condon and S. M. Ransom |publisher=[[National Radio Astronomy Observatory]]|accessdate=2008-01-05}}</ref> and frequencies as high as 2.9 * 10<sup>27</sup> Hz have been detected from astrophysical sources.<ref>{{cite journal|doi= 10.1086/513696|title=Discovery of TeV Gamma‐Ray Emission from the Cygnus Region of the Galaxy|journal=The Astrophysical Journal Letters|date=2007 March 20|author=A. A. Abdo; B. Allen; D. Berley; E. Blaufuss; S. Casanova; C. Chen; D. G. Coyne; R. S. Delay; B. L. Dingus; R. W. Ellsworth; L. Fleysher; R. Fleysher; I. Gebauer; M. M. Gonzalez; J. A. Goodman; E. Hays; C. M. Hoffman; B. E. Kolterman; L. A. Kelley; C. P. Lansdell; J. T. Linnemann; J. E. Mc Enery; A. I. Mincer; I. V. Moskalenko; P. Nemethy; D. Noyes; J. M. Ryan&#x A;;&#x A; F. W. Samuelson&#x A;;&#x A; P. M. Saz Parkinson; M. Schneider; A. Shoup&#x A;;&#x A; G. Sinnis&#x A;;&#x A; A. J. Smith; A. W. Strong; G. W. Sullivan; V. Vasileiou; G. P. Walker; D. A. Williams; X. W. Xu; G. B. Yodh|volume=658|pages=L33}}</ref> Electromagnetic energy at a particular wavelength [[lambda|λ]] (in vacuum) has an associated [[frequency]] ''f'' and [[photon]] [[energy]] ''E''. Thus, the electromagnetic spectrum may be expressed equally well in terms of any of these three quantities. They are related by the equations: <math>c = \,\!</math>'''''frequency''''' x '''''wavelength''''' or <math>\lambda = \frac{c}{f} \,\!</math> and <math>E=hf \,\!</math> or <math>E=\frac{hc}{\lambda} \,\!</math> Where <math>c=299,792,458\,\!</math>m/s ([[speed of light]]) and <math>h\,\!</math> is [[Planck's constant]], <math>(h \approx 6.626069 \cdot 10^{-34} \ \mbox{J} \cdot \mbox{s} \approx 4.13567 \ \mathrm{\mu} \mbox{eV}/\mbox{GHz})</math>. So, high-frequency electromagnetic waves have a short wavelength and high energy; low-frequency waves have a long wavelength and low energy. Whenever light waves (and other electromagnetic waves) exist in a medium (matter), their wavelength is decreased. Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, no matter what medium they are traveling through, are usually quoted in terms of the ''vacuum wavelength'' , although this is not always explicitly stated. Generally, EM radiation is classified by [[coil]]ed wavelength into [[radio wave]], [[microwave]], [[infrared]], the [[visible region]] we perceive as light, [[ultraviolet]], [[X-ray]]s and [[gamma rays]]. The behavior of EM radiation depends on its wavelength. Higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequencies have longer wavelengths. When EM radiation interacts with single atoms and molecules, its behavior also depends on the amount of energy per quantum it carries. Electromagnetic radiation can be divided into [[octave]]s — as sound waves are.<ref>Isaac Asimov, ''Isaac Asimov's Book of Facts''. Hastingshouse/Daytrips Publ., 1992. Page 389.</ref> [[Spectroscopy]] can detect a much wider region of the EM spectrum than the visible range of 400 nm to 700 nm. A common laboratory spectroscope can detect wavelengths from 2 nm to 2500 nm. Detailed information about the physical properties of objects, gases, or even stars can be obtained from this type of device. It is widely used in [[astrophysics]]. For example, many [[hydrogen]] [[atom]]s [[Emission (electromagnetic radiation)|emit]] a [[radio wave]] photon which has a wavelength of 21.12 [[centimetre|cm]]. == Types of radiation == [[Image:Electromagnetic-Spectrum.png|thumb|300px|The electromagnetic spectrum]] While the classification scheme is generally accurate, in reality there is often some overlap between neighboring types of electromagnetic energy. For example, SLF radio waves at 60 Hz may be received and studied by astronomers, or may be ducted along wires as electric power. Also, some low-energy gamma rays actually have a longer wavelength than some high-energy X-rays. This is possible because "gamma ray" is the name given to the photons generated from [[nuclear decay]] or other nuclear and subnuclear processes, whereas X-rays on the other hand are generated by [[electron]]ic transitions involving highly energetic inner electrons. Therefore the distinction between gamma ray and X-ray is related to the radiation source rather than the radiation wavelength.<ref>[http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/ems3.html#c5 Hyperphysics (see Gamma-Rays]</ref> Generally, nuclear transitions are much more energetic than electronic transitions, so usually, gamma-rays are more energetic than X-rays. However, there are a few low-energy nuclear transitions (e.g. the 14.4 keV nuclear transition of [[Iron|Fe]]-57) that produce gamma rays that are less energetic than some of the higher energy X-rays. === Radio frequency === {{main|Radio frequency}} [[Radio]] waves generally are utilized by [[antenna (radio)|antennas]] of appropriate size (according to the principle of [[resonance]]), with wavelengths ranging from hundreds of meters to about one millimeter. They are used for transmission of data, via [[modulation]]. [[Television]], [[mobile phone]]s, [[MRI]], [[wireless networking]] and [[amateur radio]] all use radio waves. Radio waves can be made to carry information by varying a combination of the amplitude, frequency and phase of the wave within a frequency band and the use of the radio spectrum is regulated by many governments through [[frequency allocation]]. When EM radiation impinges upon a [[Electrical conductor|conductor]], it couples to the conductor, travels along it, and [[radio frequency induction|induces]] an electric current on the surface of that conductor by exciting the electrons of the conducting material. This effect (the [[skin effect]]) is used in antennas. '''EM''' radiation may also cause certain molecules to absorb energy and thus to heat up; this is exploited in [[microwave oven]]s. === Microwaves === {{main|Microwaves}} [[Image:Atmospheric electromagnetic transmittance or opacity.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Plot of Earth's atmospheric transmittance (or opacity) to various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.]] The [[super high frequency]] ([[SHF]]) and [[extremely high frequency]] ([[EHF]]) of [[Microwave]]s come next up the frequency scale. Microwaves are waves which are typically short enough to employ tubular metal [[waveguide]]s of reasonable diameter. Microwave energy is produced with [[klystron]] and [[magnetron]] tubes, and with solid state [[diode]]s such as [[Gunn diode|Gunn]] and [[IMPATT diode|IMPATT]] devices. Microwaves are absorbed by molecules that have a [[dipole moment]] in liquids. In a [[microwave oven]], this effect is used to heat food. Low-intensity microwave radiation is used in [[Wi-Fi]]. When active, the average microwave oven is powerful enough to cause interference at close range with poorly shielded electromagnetic fields such as those found in mobile medical devices and cheap consumer electronics. ==== Terahertz radiation ==== {{main|Terahertz radiation}} Terahertz radiation is a region of the spectrum between far infrared and microwaves. Until recently, the range was rarely studied and few sources existed for microwave energy at the high end of the band (sub-millimetre waves or so-called [[terahertz radiation|terahertz waves]]), but applications such as imaging and communications are now appearing. Scientists are also looking to apply Terahertz technology in the armed forces, where high frequency waves might be directed at enemy troops to incapacitate their electronic equipment. === Infrared radiation === {{main|Infrared radiation}} The [[infrared]] part of the electromagnetic spectrum covers the range from roughly 300 GHz (1 mm) to 400 THz (750 nm). It can be divided into three parts: *'''Far-infrared''', from 300 GHz (1 mm) to 30 THz (10 μm). The lower part of this range may also be called microwaves. This radiation is typically absorbed by so-called rotational modes in gas-phase molecules, by molecular motions in liquids, and by [[phonons]] in solids. The water in the Earth's atmosphere absorbs so strongly in this range that it renders the atmosphere effectively opaque. However, there are certain wavelength ranges ("windows") within the opaque range which allow partial transmission, and can be used for astronomy. The wavelength range from approximately 200 μm up to a few mm is often referred to as [[Submillimetre astronomy|"sub-millimetre" in astronomy]], reserving far infrared for wavelengths below 200 μm. *'''Mid-infrared''', from 30 to 120 THz (10 to 2.5 μm). Hot objects ([[black-body]] radiators) can radiate strongly in this range. It is absorbed by molecular vibrations, where the different atoms in a molecule vibrate around their equilibrium positions. This range is sometimes called the ''fingerprint region'' since the mid-infrared absorption spectrum of a compound is very specific for that compound. *'''Near-infrared''', from 120 to 400 THz (2,500 to 750 nm). Physical processes that are relevant for this range are similar to those for visible light. === Visible radiation (light) === {{main|Visible spectrum}} [[Image:Spectre.svg|thumb|250px|Visible Electromagnetic spectrum illustration.]] [[Image:Lightspectrum lamp chart.JPG|thumb|150px|right|The light spectrums of different grow lamps]] Above infrared in frequency comes [[visible light]]. This is the range in which the [[sun]] and [[star]]s similar to it emit most of their radiation. It is probably not a coincidence that the [[luminosity function|human eye is sensitive]] to the wavelengths that the sun emits most strongly. Visible light (and near-infrared light) is typically absorbed and emitted by electrons in molecules and atoms that move from one energy level to another. The light we see with our eyes is really a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A [[rainbow]] shows the optical (visible) part of the electromagnetic spectrum; infrared (if you could see it) would be located just beyond the red side of the rainbow with [[ultraviolet]] appearing just beyond the violet end. EM radiation with a [[wavelength]] between approximately 400 [[nanometre|nm]] and 700 nm is detected by the human eye and perceived as visible light. Other wavelengths, especially nearby infrared (longer than 700 nm) and ultraviolet (shorter than 400 nm) are also sometimes referred to as light, especially when the visibility to humans is not relevant. If radiation having a frequency in the visible region of the EM spectrum reflects off of an object, say, a bowl of fruit, and then strikes our eyes, this results in our [[visual perception]] of the scene. Our brain's visual system processes the multitude of reflected frequencies into different shades and hues, and through this not-entirely-understood psychophysical phenomenon, most people perceive a bowl of fruit. At most wavelengths, however, the information carried by electromagnetic radiation is not directly detected by human senses. Natural sources produce EM radiation across the spectrum, and our technology can also manipulate a broad range of wavelengths. [[Optical fiber]] transmits light which, although not suitable for direct viewing, can carry data that can be translated into sound or an image. The coding used in such data is similar to that used with radio waves. === Ultraviolet light === {{main|Ultraviolet}} [[Image:Ozone altitude UV graph.jpg|right|thumb|230px|The amount of penetration of UV relative to altitude in Earth's [[ozone layer|ozone]]]] Next in frequency comes [[ultraviolet]] (UV). This is radiation whose wavelength is shorter than the violet end of the [[visible spectrum]]. Being very energetic, UV can break chemical bonds, making molecules unusually reactive or ionizing them, in general changing their mutual behavior. [[Sunburn]], for example, is caused by the disruptive effects of UV radiation on [[skin]] [[Cell (biology)|cells]], which can even cause [[skin cancer]], if the radiation damages the complex [[DNA]] molecules in the cells (UV radiation is a proven [[mutagen]]). The Sun emits a large amount of UV radiation, which could quickly turn Earth into a barren desert; however, most of it is absorbed by the atmosphere's [[ozone layer]] before reaching the surface. === X-rays === {{main|X-rays}} After UV come [[X-ray]]s. Hard X-rays have shorter wavelengths than soft X-rays. X-rays are used for seeing through some things and not others, as well as for high-energy physics and astronomy. [[Neutron star]]s and accretion disks around [[black hole]]s emit X-rays, which enable us to study them. X-rays will pass through most substances, and this makes them useful in medicine and industry. X-rays are given off by stars, and strongly by some types of nebulae. An [[X-ray machine]] works by firing a beam of electrons at a "target". If the electrons were fired with enough energy, X-rays will be produced. === Gamma rays === {{main|Gamma rays}} After hard X-rays come [[gamma rays]], which were discovered by [[Paul Ulrich Villard]] in 1900. These are the most energetic [[photons]], apart from Cosmic rays, having no defined lower limit to their wavelength. It's uncertain what the physical lower limit of their wavelengths would be. They are useful to [[astronomy|astronomers]] in the study of high energy objects or regions and find a use with physicists thanks to their penetrative ability and their production from [[radioisotopes]]. The wavelength of gamma rays can be measured with high accuracy by means of [[Compton scattering]]. Note that there are no precisely defined boundaries between the bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radiation of some types have a mixture of the properties of those in two regions of the spectrum. For example, red light resembles infrared radiation in that it can [[resonance|resonate]] some [[chemical bonds]]. ==See also== {{portalpar|Electronics|Zenerdiod symbol.png}} * [[Atmospheric window]] * [[ozone layer]] * [[Bandplan]] * [[Electromagnetic spectroscopy]] * [[Radiant energy]] * [[Spectroscopy]] * [[V band]] * [[W band]] ==References== {{Refimprove|date=November 2007}} {{reflist}} == External links == {{commonscat|Electromagnetic spectrum}} * [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.html U.S. Frequency Allocation Chart] — Covering the range 3 kHz to 300 GHz (from [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]]) * [http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/vwapj/spectallocation.pdf/%24FILE/spectallocation.pdf Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations] (from [[Industry Canada]]) * [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/topics/spectrum-strat/future/strat02/strategy02app_b.pdf UK frequency allocation table] (from [[Ofcom]], which inherited the [[Radiocommunications Agency]]'s duties, pdf format) *[http://www.scienceofspectroscopy.info The Science of Spectroscopy] - supported by NASA, includes OpenSpectrum, a Wiki-based learning tool for spectroscopy that anyone can edit *[http://www.e-builds.com/EM%20spectrum/ Flash EM Spectrum Presentation / Tool] - Very complete and customizable. {{EMSpectrum}} <!--Categories--> <!--Interwiki--> [[Category:Electromagnetic spectrum| ]] [[Category:Waves| ]] [[af:Elektromagnetiese spektrum]] [[ar:الطّيف الكهرومغناطيسي]] [[ast:Espectru electromagnéticu]] [[bs:Elektromagnetni spektar]] [[bg:Електромагнитен спектър]] [[ca:Espectre]] [[cs:Elektromagnetické spektrum]] [[da:Elektromagnetisk spektrum]] [[de:Elektromagnetisches Spektrum]] [[es:Espectro electromagnético]] [[eu:Espektro elektromagnetiko]] [[fr:Spectre électromagnétique]] [[gl:Espectro electromagnético]] [[ko:전자기 스펙트럼]] [[hi:विद्युतचुंबकीय वर्णक्रम]] [[hr:Spektar (fizika)]] [[id:Spektrum elektromagnetik]] [[it:Spettro elettromagnetico]] [[he:הספקטרום האלקטרומגנטי]] [[ml:വിദ്യുത്കാന്തിക വര്‍ണ്ണരാജി]] [[ms:Spektrum elektromagnet]] [[nl:Elektromagnetisch spectrum]] [[ja:電磁スペクトル]] [[no:Elektromagnetisk spekter]] [[nn:Det elektromagnetiske spekteret]] [[pt:Espectro eletromagnético]] [[sk:Elektromagnetické spektrum]] [[sl:Spekter elektromagnetnega valovanja]] [[fi:Sähkömagneettinen spektri]] [[ta:மின்காந்த நிழற்பட்டை]] [[th:สเปกตรัมแม่เหล็กไฟฟ้า]] [[tr:Elektromanyetik tayf]] [[zh:電磁波譜]]