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# The Electromagnetic Spectrum The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies (the spectrum) of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wavelengths and photon energies. ## Electromagnetic Spectrum ### Radio Waves * Wavelength: > 10^-1 m * Frequency: < 10^9 Hz * Photon Ener...

# The Electromagnetic Spectrum The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies (the spectrum) of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wavelengths and photon energies. ## Electromagnetic Spectrum ### Radio Waves * Wavelength: > 10^-1 m * Frequency: < 10^9 Hz * Photon Energy: < 10^-5 eV * Use : Communications ### Microwaves * Wavelength: 10^-3 - 10^-1 m * Frequency: 10^9 - 10^11 Hz * Photon Energy: 10^-5 - 10^-3 eV * Use: Cooking, communications ### Infrared * Wavelength: 7 x 10^-7 - 10^-3 m * Frequency: 10^11 - 4.3 x 10^14 Hz * Photon Energy: 10^-3 - 1.7 eV * Use: Heat, Remote Controls ### Visible * Wavelength: 4 x 10^-7 - 7 x 10^-7 m * Frequency: 4.3 x 10^14 - 7.5 x 10^14 Hz * Photon Energy: 1.7 - 3.1 eV * Use: Seeing ### Ultraviolet * Wavelength: 10^-8 - 4 x 10^-7 m * Frequency: 7.5 x 10^14 - 3 x 10^16 Hz * Photon Energy: 3.1 - 10^2 eV * Use: Sterilization ### X-Rays * Wavelength: 10^-11 - 10^-8 m * Frequency: 3 x 10^16 - 3 x 10^19 Hz * Photon Energy: 10^2 - 10^5 eV * Use: Medical imaging ### Gamma Rays * Wavelength: < 10^-11 m * Frequency: > 3 x 10^19 Hz * Photon Energy: > 10^5 eV * Use: Cancer treatment ## Wave Equation $c = \lambda f$ Where: * c = speed of light ($3.00 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$) * $\lambda$ = wavelength (m) * f = frequency (Hz) ## Photon Energy Equation $E = hf$ Where: * E = energy (J) * h = Planck's constant ($6.626 \times 10^{-34} \text{ J s}$) * f = frequency (Hz) $1 \text{ eV} = 1.602 \times 10^{-19} \text{ J}$