In the context of the electromagnetic spectrum, wavelength refers to the distance between two consecutive points of a wave that are in phase, or in other words, the distance between two corresponding points of a wave. It is typically represented by the symbol λ (lambda).
The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses a wide range of wavelengths, from extremely short gamma rays to very long radio waves. The various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are often categorized based on their wavelengths and include the following:
Gamma Rays: Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically less than 10 picometers (10^(-12) meters).
X-rays: X-rays have wavelengths ranging from approximately 10 picometers to 10 nanometers (10^(-9) meters).
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: UV radiation has wavelengths from about 10 nanometers to 400 nanometers.
Visible Light: Visible light is the range of wavelengths that humans can perceive with their eyes. It spans from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers.
Within visible light, different colors correspond to specific wavelengths, with violet having the shortest wavelengths and red having the longest.
Infrared (IR) Radiation: Infrared radiation covers wavelengths longer than visible light, ranging from about 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter.
Microwaves: Microwaves have wavelengths from about 1 millimeter to 1 meter.
Radio Waves: Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically greater than 1 meter. They can range from meters to kilometers or even longer.
Wavelength is a crucial property of electromagnetic waves as it determines their interactions with matter and how they are detected and utilized in various applications, such as communication, imaging, and scientific research.