| The chart utilized by researchers to classify, | | | | wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. Heat from |
| examine, and explain the various forms of | | | | the sun is infrared in nature. An infrared |
| electromagnetic radiation are called the | | | | electromagnetic pulse is used by snakes to hunt |
| electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic waves | | | | warm-blooded animals in the dark. We utilize |
| can travel through space, although sound waves | | | | infrared heat sensors for military tactics, hunting, |
| require a medium to traverse through. The | | | | and even to apprehend bootleggers who illegally |
| majority of radiation is not harmful although more | | | | copy movies at theaters. Dust situated between |
| concentrated radiation such as UV rays, x-rays, | | | | stars is illuminated by infrared waves. |
| and gamma rays can be particularly hazardous. | | | | After radio, microwaves and infrared radiation, |
| Scientists who study electromagnetic theory as it | | | | "visible radiation" pertains to what we can see of |
| relates to our world assure us that the radiation | | | | the electromagnetic spectrum. Types of |
| coming from computers, cell phones, and electric | | | | electromagnetic fields for visible light include the |
| transmission lines will not harm us. | | | | sun, reflected light, fireflies, light bulbs, rainbows, |
| The electromagnetic spectrum contains seven | | | | stars, and fast-moving particles. When we get sun |
| basic types of radiation. From highest to lowest | | | | burned we see the effects of ultra-violet rays |
| they are gamma rays, x-rays, ultra-violet, visible, | | | | although we cannot actually see them. The |
| infrared, microwaves, and radio waves. Radio | | | | cancer-causing rays are generally shielded by our |
| waves have the longest wavelength; they can be | | | | ozone layer. Damage can come about from holes |
| as long as a football field. Electromagnetic waves | | | | in the ozone layer or prolonged exposure. UV |
| are invisible to the human eye but they do | | | | radiation is also emitted from stars and other |
| transmit signals from television, cell phones, radio, | | | | extremely hot objects. |
| and wireless internet. Radio waves are also | | | | Why is our existence so dependent on the |
| emitted from stars and space gases. Microwaves | | | | electromagnetic spectrum? Apart from adding to |
| can't be seen and have a slightly shorter | | | | a few of the most significant technologies of our |
| wavelength; they send sound through telephones, | | | | time, the earth gets its energy from the sun, |
| make Doppler weather radar work, and filter | | | | carried by light, which maintains a thriving |
| through outer space as a faint background. When | | | | existence. Rather than being nothing more than |
| talking about the Big Bang Theory or studying the | | | | uninhabitable frozen rock like many other planets, |
| Milky Way astronomers often refer to | | | | our earth has photosynthesis, the water cycle, |
| microwaves. | | | | and an atmosphere. These electromagnetic |
| A relatively small amount of radiation is contained | | | | waves deserve our appreciation on many levels. |
| in an infrared wave, which is the third longest | | | | |