Electromagnetic Spectrum - What Is It?

The electromagnetic spectrum is a chart used by scientists to classify, examine and explain the various types of electromagnetics radiation. Sound waves need a medium to travel through, but electromagnetic waves can traverse through space. Most radiation is not dangerous, although some of the high-energy, stronger radiation (like UV rays, x-rays and gamma rays) can be very dangerous. It is these principles that have scientists carefully studying the electromagnetic theory in relation to our world to ensure that the radiation emanating from our computers, our cell phones and our power lines will not hurt us.

There are seven basic types of radiation studied within the electromagnetic spectrum (from lowest to highest). These are radio, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultra-violet, x-rays and gamma rays. Radio waves have the longest wavelength, which can be up to a football field long! While we can't see these electromagnetic waves, they carry signals from television, radio, cell phones and wireless internet. Additionally, stars and space gases emit radio waves as well. Microwaves are also invisible but serve us well. With a slightly shorter wavelength, microwaves transmit voices through telephones, work the Doppler weather radar and also permeate all of outer space as a faint background. Astronomers sometimes look at microwaves when they're talking about the Big Bang Theory or to study the Milky Way.

Infrared radiation is the third longest wave in the electromagnetic spectrum and carries a relatively small amount of radiation, even though we feel it every day. The sun's heat is considered infrared. Snakes use infrared electromagnetic pulse to track down warm-blooded animals in the dark and in fact, man-made infrared heat sensors are used for everything from military operations and hunting to tracking down a video bootlegger trying to illegally tape a film at a movie theater. In space, infrared light illuminates the dust between stars.

So why is the electromagnetic spectrum so important to our existence? Aside from contributing to some of the greatest technologies of our time, the earth itself derives its available energy from the sun, carried by light, which keeps the earth thriving. Instead of being a cluster of uninhabitable frozen rock like many other planets, our earth has photosynthesis, the water cycle and an atmosphere. In a way, we can thank these electromagnetic waves for everything.

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electromagnetic radiation

Even though there is no proof of harm, there are certain steps you can take to limit your exposure to electromagnetic radiation. When you are going outside, slather on UV ray protective sunblock and wear UV-deterrent sunglasses.