Electromagnetic radiation is created by electric and magnetic fields interacting and producing waves of energy. These waves have different wavelengths, which classify them into the electromagnetic spectrum. The intensity of the radiation is determined by the frequency of the waves, measured in Hertz. The frequency and wavelength are mathematically related, with higher frequencies producing greater radiation and shorter wavelengths. Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell first developed the theory of electromagnetism in the 19th century.
The phenomenon of electromagnetic radiation is caused by the mutually reinforcing interaction of charged electric and magnetic fields operating perpendicular to each other and traveling through space at the speed of light. Each pulse or oscillation that emanates from the interaction of electric and magnetic force fields creates a wave of energy. Electromagnetic wavelength refers to the distance measured between the crest or trough of each adjacent wave generated by electromagnetic disturbance. People frequently experience various forms of electromagnetic radiation in their daily lives. Radio waves, television broadcasts, X-rays, visible and invisible light, and microwave radiation are discrete components of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be defined and classified according to their respective electromagnetic wavelengths.
Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell first developed the theory of electromagnetism in the 19th century. Maxwell observed that changes in an electric field caused fields of magnetic force, which in turn induced electric fields. Maxwell predicted that these mutually reinforcing force fields would interact with each other at right angles in a plane, creating oscillations that would propagate through full space at the speed of light.
Since all forms of electromagnetic radiation are made up of energy waves that travel through space, electromagnetic wavelength is one of the primary measures used to classify the discrete components of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. At the longwave end of the spectrum are radio transmissions, whose measured electromagnetic wavelengths can be the size of buildings. At the opposite end of the spectrum are gamma rays, whose wavelengths are smaller than the size of the nucleus of an atom. Among the long-wavelength radio transmissions and the ultrashort-wavelength electromagnetic gamma rays, in order of increasing wavelength, are microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, and X-rays.
The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation generated is a function of the frequency of the waves generated every second. The incident of each complete wave constitutes one cycle. Specific frequencies are identified by the number of cycles generated each second. The international unit used to measure each complete cycle is a Hertz, or in its abbreviated form, Hz.
Both frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation are mathematically related. The energy of the electromagnetic radiation generated is directly proportional to its frequency. The higher the frequency, the greater the propagated radiation. Conversely, the frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation are inversely proportional; the higher the frequency of the generated radiation, the shorter the electromagnetic wavelength and vice versa.
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