Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is also known as EMR. It is the form of radiation that carries energy in the form of waves and propagates through space without any medium. Electromagnetic radiation divides into two categories based on its wavelength. These are ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Ionizing electromagnetic radiation can cause damage to living cells by ionization due to its large amount of energy.
Forms of Electromagnetic Radiation
These are the following forms of electromagnetic radiation.
Radio Waves
Radio waves are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the spectrum longer than infrared light. They use for wireless communication, broadcasting, and radar. The waves may be generated by an antenna or through inductive coupling from an electric power line. The name originates from their propagation method as alternating currents at right angles to the direction of travel that emits electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to the direction of travel. The wavelength of radio waves ranges from one meter to hundreds of meters long, with larger wavelengths associated with lower frequencies (longer waves).
The frequency ranges between 3 kHz and 300 GHz.
Microwaves
Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than those of visible light. The microwave range covers frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz and wavelengths between 1 mm and 30 cm, respectively. In this frequency range, microwaves have relatively low photon energies compared to long-wavelength photons emitted by red dwarfs. They cannot ionize atoms or molecules or break chemical bonds as longer-wavelength UV photons can. Their interaction with matter is primarily through thermal heating: they excite atoms in materials, causing them to move faster and produce heat.
Gamma Rays
Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation. They are the most energetic form of EM radiation and have the shortest wavelength. Gamma rays are produced by radioactive decay, nuclear fusion, and other high-energy processes. They can be dangerous to living things because they can damage DNA and other cellular structures. Fortunately, our atmosphere absorbs a greater amount of gamma rays before reaching the ground.
Infrared Radiation
Infrared radiations have a wavelength between 700 nm and 1 mm. So, it is invisible to the human eye but can be felt as heat. This radiation is used in thermal imaging and night vision. It also has a variety of applications in communications, manufacturing, and medicine. For example, it could use infrared light for data transmission over long distances in electronics. In physics, it has been proposed that this radiation carries energy from the sun to Earth.
Infrared radiation is classified into three bands: near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and far-infrared (FIR).
Visible Radiation
Visible radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation visible to the human eye. This type of radiation has a wavelength of 400 to 700 nanometers. For example, the sun emits visible radiation, which is why we can see the light. This type of electromagnetic radiation makes up a small portion of the spectrum.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Ultraviolet radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a shorter wavelength than visible light. UV radiation is present in sunlight and can also be produced by artificial sources like tanning beds and black lights. However, excessive use of UV radiation can lead to sunburn and skin cancer. There are several kinds of UV radiation, including:
UV-A: Visible light just outside the range of what we see as colors. It doesn’t give you sunburns, but it may speed up aging and cataracts on your eyes.
UV-B: The kind of ultraviolet light you need to worry about because it damages your DNA. Sunlight contains a lot of this kind, which is why getting sunburnt will always happen if you don’t apply sunscreen or stay out of the sun too long.
UV-C: A rare form of ultraviolet light, which includes x-rays and gamma rays – high-energy waves that produce so much heat they’re used to sterilize things in hospitals (by destroying germs).
X-rays
An X-ray is another type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. However, unlike visible light, X-rays have enough energy to penetrate through human tissue. It makes them useful for diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays of the bones or chest. Because they can pass through the body, X-rays are also used in medical treatments, such as cancer therapy.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About ERM
Electromagnetic radiation is everywhere around us every day, and most of us take it for granted because we’re not aware of it. We don’t see, hear, or feel it, so we assume it isn’t there. However, we are surrounded by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in natural and manufactured environments, and we need to be aware of its potential impacts on our health. So, here are five different things you may not have known about EMR and how it can affect your health.
1) Health Concerns
You may have heard that electromagnetic radiation is harmful to your health. And while it is true that high levels of EMF can be dangerous, the truth is that we are exposed to low levels of EMF every day from common household items like cell phones, computers, and TVs.
2) Radio Frequencies
You probably know that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) comes in many forms, from X-rays to microwaves. But it can also use to transmit information. That’s right, and radio frequencies are a type of EMR!
3) Light and Color
You probably know that electricity and magnetism are related, but did you know that they’re both forms of electromagnetic radiation? Electrical conductivity is the ability of a material to allow electricity to flow through it. Most materials are conductors, which means they allow electricity to flow freely. However, some materials are insulators, so they don’t allow electricity to flow. The best conductor is a material called a superconductor, which has zero resistance to electrical current.
4) Magnetic Fields
Did you know that all matter is made up of atoms? And that atoms are made up of electrons? Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom and when they do, they create a magnetic field. It is the source of all electromagnetic radiation.
5) Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity is the ability of a material to allow an electric current through it. The higher the electrical conductivity of a material, the easier it is for current to flow through it. Most metals are good conductors of electricity, which is why they are used in electrical wiring. However, some non-metallic materials, such as carbon and silicon, can also be good conductors.
