University of Auckland/Department of Physics/Physics 102/Electromagnetic Waves

Visualisation of EM wave

electromagnetic waves are formed by vibration of an electric charge

- a slower vibration creates a wave with a longer wavelength and a low energy

- a faster vibration creates a wave with a shorter wavelength and a high energy

eg. radio waves (longer wavelength)

microwaves

infra-red waves

Visible light waves (ROYGBIV)

Ultra violet waves
 * X-rays
 * Gamma rays (shorter wavelength)

Wavelength Range
Gamma Rays have the shortest coil wavelength, below about 10 picometers

X-rays
The first X-ray! http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6e/Anna_Berthe_Roentgen.gif/180px-Anna_Berthe_Roentgen.gif

Wavelength Range
X-Rays have a wavelength in the range of 10 to 0.01 nanometers

Ultra violet
Skin Cancer, sun burns