Flashcard 7 - Physics Flashcard Set for the HESI Exam

radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays

All electromagnetic waves make up the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies to the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies. They all travel at the speed of light in a vacuum but differ in how they interact with matter and how they are used:

• radio waves – used for broadcasting signals like radio and TV
• microwaves – used in cooking and communication
• infrared – felt as heat and used in remote controls and thermal imaging
• visible light – the part of the spectrum we can see
• ultraviolet (uv) – found in sunlight and can cause sunburn
• x-rays – used for imaging bones and internal structures
• gamma rays – emitted by radioactive materials and cosmic events, used in cancer treatment

These seven types form the full range of the electromagnetic spectrum.