Electromagnetic Spectrum

Vocabulary flashcards covering types of radiation, wavelengths, frequencies, relative scales, and atmospheric penetration based on the Electromagnetic Spectrum diagram.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The complete range of electromagnetic radiation arranged by wavelength and frequency, spanning from radio waves to gamma rays.

Radio Waves

A radiation type with a wavelength of $10^3\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^4\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to buildings, which penetrates Earth's atmosphere.

Microwaves

A radiation type with a wavelength of $10^{-2}\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^8\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to butterflies, which does not penetrate Earth's atmosphere.

Infrared Radiation

A radiation type with a wavelength of $10^{-5}\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^{12}\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to a needle point, which penetrates Earth's atmosphere.

Visible Light

A radiation type with a wavelength of $0.5 \times 10^{-6}\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^{15}\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to protozoans, which penetrates Earth's atmosphere.

Ultraviolet Light

A radiation type with a wavelength of $10^{-8}\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^{16}\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to molecules, which does not penetrate Earth's atmosphere.

X-rays

A radiation type with a wavelength of $10^{-10}\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^{18}\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to atoms, which does not penetrate Earth's atmosphere.

Gamma Rays

A radiation type with a wavelength of $10^{-12}\,\text{m}$, frequency of $10^{20}\,\text{Hz}$, wavelength scale comparable to atomic nuclei, which does not penetrate Earth's atmosphere.