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The Electromagnetic Spectrum definitions

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  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
    Arrangement of light based on energy into groupings of similar energy sharing similar properties.
  • Frequency
    Measure of how often a wave's crests pass a point in a given time, proportional to energy.
  • Wavelength
    Distance between successive crests of a wave, inversely proportional to energy.
  • Radio Waves
    Longest wavelength, lowest energy waves used for long-distance information transmission.
  • Microwaves
    Waves with energy to vibrate water molecules, used in microwave ovens for heating food.
  • Infrared
    Part of the spectrum just below visible light, not visible to the human eye.
  • Visible Light
    Portion of the spectrum visible to the human eye, includes colors from red to violet.
  • Ultraviolet
    Light just above visible spectrum, not visible to the human eye, higher energy than visible light.
  • X Rays
    Low energy ionizing radiation used in medical imaging, can damage DNA if overexposed.
  • Gamma Rays
    Highest energy electromagnetic radiation, extremely hazardous, used in targeted cancer therapy.
  • Ionizing Radiation
    Radiation that can remove electrons from atoms, causing damage to living organisms.
  • Computed Tomography
    Medical imaging technique using rotating X-rays to create 3D models of the body.
  • Gamma Knife Therapy
    Cancer treatment using targeted gamma rays to destroy tumor cells.
  • White Light
    Combination of multiple colors across the spectrum, perceived as white by human eyes.
  • Roy G. Biv
    Acronym for the order of colors in the visible spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.