Electromagnetic Energy/Spectrum/Waves/Radiation

• the terms light, electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic radiation all refer to the same physical phenomenon: electromagnetic energy
• this energy can be described by:
  • frequency
  • wavelength
  • energy
• all three are related mathematically such that if you know one, you can calculate the other two:
• the following 3 are scientific conventions that allow the convenient use of units that have numbers that are neither too large nor too small
  
  • radio and microwaves are usually described in terms of frequency (Hertz)
  • infrared and visible light in terms of wavelength (meters)
  • x-rays and gamma rays in terms of energy (electron volts)

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Subpages

• Electromagnetic Waves - In Relation to E=mc²