ElectroMagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is defined as "the emission and transmission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves" (Chang, pp. 246). An electromagnetic wave consists of two waves at perpendicular planes, on representing the electrical field while the other represents the magnetic field. This spectrum is split up into about 81 octaves, much like the octaves of sound, which scientists have categorized in order to depict the usefulness of the different properties. Theoretically electromagnetic waves can be as long as the expansive width of the universe in one wave, to a wavelength the size of a quanta (the smallest amount of energy that can be transmitted). That, however, is at this point in time negligible because we either cannot detect wavelengths so extremely large or infinitesimally small. So generally the spectrum is regarded to be set between 30,000,000 km and .0001 angstroms (1 km is equal to 1 X 10^13 angstroms). The longest and least energetic of the accepted wavelengths are radio waves. Their wavelengths range from 300,000 km to 30 cm and a frequency of 30 kHz to 3,000,000 kHz. The waves are used in the transmission of radio and television signals. AM and FM radio signals fall
Gamma rays are the newly discovered form of radiation that is associated with space, and is given off in reactions concerning the nuclei of atoms. These are the most energetic and shortest wavelengths that are very, very lethal. They are often called cosmic rays and so far have no practical use other than extraterrestrial observation. It's frequencies are 100 quintillion (10^20) and higher with wavelengths than 1/10th of an angstrom. Although scientists have established these arbitrary borders for the electromagnetic spectrum, there is truly no difference between them. Their only differences lie in the amount of energy they contain, their wavelengths, and their frequencies. They all behave as waves and particles, and all travel at the unerring speed of light, 300,000 Km per second. Many recognize UV or ultraviolet radiation because of modern societies obsession with tanning, and the cancerous growths that may follow. UV radiation is very energetic compared to the previous categories discussed and will burn with the prolonged exposure, which tanning is a mild form of. Not much UV can get through the ozone layer, but a little does, and our polluting industrial revolution has caused our protective layer to break down allowing more
Some common words found in the essay are:
Radiation Electromagnetic, wavelengths range, Boston Birkhauser, angstroms frequencies, Double Day, it's wavelengths range, cm frequencies, visible spectrum, 3 cm, waves transmission, radio waves, prolonged exposure, it's wavelengths, frequencies 100,
Approximate Word count = 841
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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