Science PT Review - Famous Scientists and EM Waves

William Gilbert

Coined the term "electricus" to describe materials that attracted small objects; laid the foundation for the study of electricity and magnetism

Hans Christian Ørsted

Discovered that electric currents are surrounded by magnetic fields

Michael Faraday

Discovered electromagnetic induction

Joseph Henry

Independently discovered electromagnetic induction to back up Faraday's discovery, discovered induced current

James Clerk Maxwell

Discovered electromagnetic waves and developed Maxwell's Equations; the "Father of Electromagnetism"

Heinrich Hertz

Discovered radio waves; the unit of measurement (Hz) is named after him

Radio Waves

Discovered by Hertz, they have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies; considered non-ionizing radiation

Microwaves

Have shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies than radio waves; prolonged exposure can cause thermal effects

Infrared

Meaning "below red", infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light but shorter than microwaves; sometimes called "heat radiation"

Visible Light

A small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum which can be seen by the human eye and comes in an array of colors

Ultraviolet

Meaning "beyond violet", it has shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies than visible light; widely known for causing sunburns, skin aging, and cancer

X-Rays

Has shorter wavelengths than ultraviolet rays, which allows it to pass through and show human tissue without the need for surgery; considered ionizing radiation

Gamma Rays

Has the highest frequency in the spectrum thus having the highest energy and the shortest wavelength; can cause DNA damage, mutations, and increased cancer risk