What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it relate to the electromagnetic spectrum?

1 Answer
Oct 16, 2016

Electromagnetic radiation is light, radio, X-rays, microwaves, etc. The electromagnetic spectrum organizes these according to their wavelength.

Explanation:

Electromagnetic radiation consists of either waves or particles (depending on which best suits the situation) that travel at 186,282 miles per second in a vacuum and do not require matter to travel. However, different kinds have different wavelengths, or distance between one crest/photon (particle theory) and the next. The electromagnetic spectrum puts them in order according to this. From longest to shortest:
Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared Light, Visible (ROYGBV), Ultraviolet Light, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays.

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