Electrons, such as those in electrons, begin to vibrate. As they increase their vibrations, they begin to emit energy. This energy can be in many forms such as heat or light. The faster moving the energy is, the more damage it can cause. This is called Frequency. Frequency is essentially how often the waves "peak" within a given time. When you measure from crest to crest, or peak to peak, you have a wavelength.
Wavelength, Frequency, and Energies of the 7 spectra:
The Electromagnetic Spectrum is emitted from stars all around us. Fortunately, we are protected from this harmful radiation by the Ozone Layer. Radiation is a form of energy emitted from a source. Our Sun emits radiation to us, on Earth.
Luckily, only a few of these harmful rays can penetrate our ozone layer.
These include: Infrared, Visible Light, and Ultraviolet.
As the Ozone layer diminishes, the more of these harmful rays enter into our atmosphere, causing the temperatures to rise and increasing the Sun's intensity in causing sunburns.
We use technology also to mimic a lot of the Electromagnetic Waves for our benefit also.
The image below gives some examples of how they can be used in our daily life.
The longer the wavelengths, the lower the frequency.. meaning the longer/slower the waves. These waves have a low amount of energy and are used for low energy actions such as:
Radio Waves
transmitting signals, images, & sounds
can not penetrate Ozone layer
low energy
signals are easily stopped through dense objects, even thick clouds can cause a signal break/transmission interference
operate on the same frequency as lightening - that's why sometimes TV's, phones, or the radio will have glitches when lightening strikes!
Microwaves
higher energy than Radio Waves
used for signaling in the military (satellites/radar)
used in a microwave oven to "cook" food - causes fat cells to vibrate until they are cooked
can cause some damage to living cells if overexposed
have a hard time penetrating the ozone layer - we we are pretty well protected from them on Earth
Infrared
lower energy & frequency than the visible light color Red
emits heat
can cause heat exhaustion
no real harm
as the Sun emits IR waves more directly to Earth, Earth will warm up (summer). This is what causes us to have warm summers!
since we can feel it, it is capable of penetrating the ozone layer
causes the warmer temperatures (global warming) year around
as holes in the ozone increase in number and size, more IR waves pass through, causing yearly temperatures to rise slowly
Visible Light
causes absolutely no harm
provides us with light
is broken down into multiple colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
Red has a longer wavelength/lower frequency
Violet has a shorter wavelength/higher frequency
When all colors (ROYGBIV) are combined, they make white light. This is what enables us to see outside or in a room when a light is turned on.
Ultraviolet Waves
higher frequency and shorter wavelength than visible light's violet wavelength
"Ultra" means above
it has a frequency above violet's frequency
can penetrate the Ozone Layer
causes damage to living cells
Benefits: can be used to sterilize medical equipment and water
Harmful: UV Waves can be broken down into the UVA & UVB sun rays which damage skin cells causing skin cancer
used in black lights & fluorescent lights
X-Rays
Can partially penetrate through the Ozone Layer, but barely enters our atmosphere.
Are able to penetrate through soft materials, but not hard ones such as bones. They are too dense.
used on Earth to take images
high frequency and high energy waves with a small wavelength
repeated exposure can cause damage to living cells
Gamma Rays
Can move through all matter except high density materials such as lead and concrete
shortest wavelength, highest energy, and highest frequency
not able to penetrate through the ozone layer
high enough energy to kill living cells
used to treat cancer patients, radiation therapy (this is not the same as chemotherapy)
problems: emit high energy radiation which can contaminate the environment if not contained