Question

What are the different types of EM radiation found in nature, and what are their corresponding ranges, frequencies, and wavelengths (in nanometers)?

Answer 1

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation consists of a broad spectrum of energy, ranging from low-frequency radio waves to high-frequency gamma rays. Here are the different types of EM radiation in order of increasing frequency and energy, along with their corresponding ranges, frequencies, and wavelengths:

1. Radio Waves:

   • Frequency Range: 30 Hz to 300 GHz
   • Wavelength Range: Approximately 1 millimeter (mm) to 10,000 kilometers (km)

2. Microwaves:

   • Frequency Range: 300 MHz to 300 GHz
   • Wavelength Range: Approximately 1 mm to 1 meter (m)

3. Infrared Radiation (IR):

   • Frequency Range: 300 GHz to 400 THz
   • Wavelength Range: Approximately 1 micrometer (µm) to 1 mm

4. Visible Light:

   • Frequency Range: 400 THz to 790 THz
   • Wavelength Range: Approximately 380 nanometers (nm) to 750 nm
   • Visible light is further divided into different colors, with varying wavelengths:
     • Red: 620 nm to 750 nm
     • Orange: 590 nm to 620 nm
     • Yellow: 570 nm to 590 nm
     • Green: 495 nm to 570 nm
     • Blue: 450 nm to 495 nm
     • Indigo: 420 nm to 450 nm
     • Violet: 380 nm to 420 nm

5. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation:

   • Frequency Range: 790 THz to 30 PHz
   • Wavelength Range: Approximately 10 nm to 380 nm
   • UV radiation is often categorized into three regions:
     • UVA: 315 nm to 400 nm
     • UVB: 280 nm to 315 nm
     • UVC: 100 nm to 280 nm (largely absorbed by Earth's atmosphere)

6. X-rays:

   • Frequency Range: 30 PHz to 30 EHz
   • Wavelength Range: Approximately 10 picometers (pm) to 10 nm

7. Gamma Rays:

   • Frequency Range: Above 30 EHz
   • Wavelength Range: Below 10 picometers (pm)

It's important to note that these ranges and values are approximate and can vary slightly depending on different sources and scientific conventions.