What is Electromagnetic Radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation is a type of energy that has wave-like behavior and can move through space.
Electromagnetic radiation is also called electromagnetic energy and can be called light energy. I suggest that young children learn that some light energy is not visible. In fact, only one type of light energy is visible and it is called “visible light.”
Visible light is made of different amounts of light energy. Each of these amounts of energy are perceived as colors. From least to greatest, the colors of visible light are,
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
Using the first letter of each color spells out a man’s name.
ROY G. BIV
The electromagnetic spectrum or Light Energy Spectrum is the range of all electromagnetic energy (light energy) in order of their energies. The list of light energy making up the light energy spectrum from greatest to least energy are:
1. gamma rays (most energy, smallest wavelength and fastest speed)
2. x-rays
3. UV light-The Sun emits three types of UV light, A, B, and C. Blacklights emit UV-A.
4. visible light-
5. infrared light
6. microwaves
7. radio waves (least energy, largest wavelength, and slowest speed)
What is UV Light?
Ultraviolet light (UV) is a type of light energy (electromagnetic radiation) that you cannot see. This is because your eyes are only sensitive to visual light, which part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Ultraviolet light is divided into three parts, A, B, and C, depending on the wavelength of the light. The smaller the wavelength, the greater is the lights energy. Following shows the wavelengths of each UV type and which UV type emitted by the Sun strikes Earth’s surface.
UVA: Wavelength: 320-400 nm. Not absorbed by the ozone layer.
UVB: Wavelength: 290-320 nm. Mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but some does reach the Earth’s surface.
UVC: Wavelength: 100-290 nm. Completely absorbed by the ozone layer and atmosphere.
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Physics For Every Kids |