Sarah Hartill 10J The Electromagnetic Spectrum The range of all the possible electromagnetic radiation frequencies is called

the electromagnetic spectrum. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes. Visible Light might come from a light bulb or from any other unnatural light source. Radio waves can be transmitted from a radio station. Other examples from the electromagnetic spectrum are; Radio waves, Infared, Ultraviolet, X-ray, and Gamma rays. The more energetic and hot the substance, the higher the energy radiation created. Only very hot objects/ particles that are moving at very high speeds can create high energy radiaction such as X rays, and Gamma Rays. This is the order of lowest to highest; Radio- Microwave- Infared- Visable- Ultraviolet- X-ray- Gamma ray Radio: These are emitted by radio-stations. These are also emitted by stars and gases in space. From the Radiation we can tell what they are made of. Microwaves- Microwaves in space are used by astronomers to learn about the structure of nearby galaxies, and the milky way. Infared- Our skin emits infared light, which is why humans can be seen in the dark by night vision goggles. It also maps the dust between stars. Visible- This is what our eyes can see. Visible radiation is emitted from everything from bulbs to stars- also by fast moving particles hitting other parlicles. Ultraviolet- The sun is the cause of ultraviolet, (UV). UV rays cause our skin to burn. Stars and other hot objects cause UV radiation. X-Rays- Hot gases in the Universe emit these. Gamma Rays- Radioactive materials can emit gamma- rays. Big particle accelerators that scientists use to help them understand what matter is made of can sometimes generate gamma- rays,