The Hubble Space Telescope detects electromagnetic energy in the wavelength range 1.15 * 10-7 m to 2.0 * 10-6 m. What region of the electromagnetic spectrum is found completely within this range? What regions fall partially in this range?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the given wavelength range detected by the Hubble Space Telescope: from 1.15 \( \times 10^{-7} \) meters to 2.0 \( \times 10^{-6} \) meters.
2. Recall the typical wavelength ranges for different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, radio waves are generally longer than 1 mm, microwaves range from 1 mm to 1 \( \mu m \), infrared from about 700 nm to 1 mm, visible light from 400 nm to 700 nm, ultraviolet from 10 nm to 400 nm, X-rays from 0.01 nm to 10 nm, and gamma rays are less than 0.01 nm.
3. Compare the given wavelength range to the standard ranges for each region of the electromagnetic spectrum to determine which region or regions are completely or partially within the given range.
4. Identify that the ultraviolet region, which ranges from 10 nm to 400 nm, falls completely within the given range of 1.15 \( \times 10^{-7} \) m (115 nm) to 2.0 \( \times 10^{-6} \) m (2000 nm).
5. Determine that the visible region, which ranges from 400 nm to 700 nm, and the infrared region, which starts from 700 nm, both fall partially within the given range.

Key Concepts

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, which vary in wavelength and frequency. It includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves. Understanding the spectrum is crucial for identifying which types of radiation fall within specific wavelength ranges, such as those detected by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Wavelength and Frequency

Wavelength is the distance between successive peaks of a wave, while frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in one second. These two properties are inversely related; as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is essential for determining the specific regions of the electromagnetic spectrum that correspond to the given wavelength range of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Regions of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into various regions based on wavelength. The range of 1.15 * 10^-7 m to 2.0 * 10^-6 m includes ultraviolet (UV) light and infrared (IR) radiation. Identifying which regions fall completely or partially within this range helps in understanding the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope and the types of astronomical observations it can make.