The Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum
Hawaiian Comparisons to the Sizes of Wavelengths:
Aloha Tower Aloha Stadium Hale Kamehameha Point of a Needle Plant Cell Bacteria Protein Water Molecule Atom (Hawaiian House) Butterfly
3 -2 -5 -6 -8 -10 -12 Longer 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Shorter
Wavelength (Meters):
Radio Waves: Microwaves: Infrared: Visible: Ultraviolet: X-Rays: Gamma Rays: Radio waves have the longest wavelength in the EM Since microwaves can penetrate haze, light Infrared light has a range of wavelengths Visible light waves are the only waves in spec- Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human As the wavelengths of the spectrum de- Gamma rays have the smallest wavelength, spectrum. As implied, radio waves bring music to ra- rain, snow, clouds and smoke, these waves like visible light. “Near infrared” light is trum that humans can see. These waves are eyes, but some insects, like bumblebees, have crease, the energy increases, such as how but have the most energy out of all of the other dios, but they also provide signals to cell phones, tele- are ideal for viewing the Earth from space. closest in wavelength to visible light and seen in a range of colors with red having the proven to be able to see ultraviolet light. The x-rays tend to act more like a particle than waves in the spectrum. These waves are gener- visions, etc. Radio waves are received at an estimate The wavelength of micro waves in a mi- “far infrared” is closer to the microwave re- longest wavelength and violet (purple) having ultraviolet part of the spectrum is divided into a wave. Many things in space emit X- ated by radioactive atoms and in nuclear explo- of 100 MegaHertz or 100 million cycles per second crowave oven is about 11 centimeters (4.3 gion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The the shortest wavelength. When all the waves three regions: the near ultraviolet, the far ul- rays, among them are black holes, neutron sions. Gamma-rays can kill living cells, a fact by FM radios. In 1932, radio waves were discovered inches). longer, far infrared wavelengths are about are seen together, white light is created. Water traviolet, and the extreme ultraviolet. The stars, binary star systems, supernova rem- which medicine uses to its advantage, using to be given off by astronomical objects. Since then, the size of a pin head and the shorter, near vapor in the atmosphere breaks apart the wave- three regions are distinguished by how ener- nants, stars, the Sun, and even some com- gamma-rays to kill cancerous cells. Unlike opti- astronomers have been developing sophiscated sys- infrared ones are the size of cells, or are mi- lengths, which is why rainbows can be seen in getic the ultraviolet radiation is, and by the ets! Bones and teeth are dense and absorb cal light and x-rays Gamma rays cannot be cap- tems to make visual images using the radio waves croscopic. Far infrared waves are thermal the sky. The wavelength of visible light is a lit- “wavelength” of the ultraviolet light, which is more X-rays than your skin does due to tured and reflected in mirrors. (in the form of heat), while shorter infrared tle bit less than a millionth of a metre. related to energy. Star, galaxies, and even the containing a large amount of calcium. As waves aren’t thermal, in fact, they can’t be Earth can be studied by the ultraviolet light such, silhouettes of your bones or teeth are felt. Regardless, many things, including that is given off. The wavelength of ultravio- left on the X-ray film while your skin ap- humans, emit infrared light. let light is less than 375 nanometres. pears transparent.
Possible Sources of these Wavelengths:
Aircraft and Shipping AM Radio FM Radio and TV Cell Phones Microwave Ovens Radar Humans Lightbulb UV Rays X-Rays Radioactive Radios Elements
Lower Higher 105 106 107 108 109 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019
Poster created by: Quinn Hamamoto Waiakea High School Hilo, Hawaii Find out more at: For a hardcopy of this poster please con- The Fine Print: Grade 12 Background copyrighted by SoundwavexJazzClub located at Summer ‘10 Huiana Intern http://outreach.jach.hawaii.edu tact [email protected] Deviantart. Other pictures created by Quinn Hamamoto.