The electromagnetic spectrum comprises different kinds of radiations. The electromagnetic spectrum radiations range from high-frequency gamma rays with high energy and short wavelength to long wavelength and low energy radio waves. Traditionally, the electromagnetic spectrum is divided into x-rays, gamma rays, infrared radiation, radio waves, ultraviolet rays, and microwaves (Andrews, 2006) . Electromagnetic spectrum plays a very vital role in the present technological advancements. Through the discovery of electromagnetic waves, the world is a better place to live.
Even though electromagnetic waves travel with a speed equivalent to the speed of light in vacuum, they move at different wavelengths, photon energies, and different frequencies. Spectroscopy uses almost all wavelengths and frequencies emerging from electromagnetic radiations. The electromagnetic spectrum radiations classification from the longest wavelength to the lowest wavelength includes; radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light rays, ultraviolet waves, X- rays and Gamma rays.
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The wavelength of radio waves is longer than that of infrared waves. The wavelength of radio waves ranges from one millimeter to one hundred kilometers while the frequency ranges from 300GHz and 3KHz. Radio waves can occur naturally through lightning. Artificial radio waves are used in computer networks and mobile radio communication (DeVanyet al., 2008) . The wavelengths of microwaves range from one millimeter to one meter while the frequency ranges from 300 GHz to 300 MHz Microwaves have different uses, and the most common method is cooking. Infrared radiation wavelength varies between 700nm and 1mm while the frequency ranges from 430 THz to 300GHz. The infrared radiations are commonly used in night vision cameras. The human eye responds to visible light of wavelength range from 390 to 700 nanometers. The frequency of visible light varies from 430 to 770 THz. Ultraviolet rays have a wavelength range of about 380 nm to 10nm and a frequency of between 8 × 10 14 to 3 × 10 16 Hz. Hospitals use ultraviolet rays in sterilizing surgical equipment. The wavelength of x-rays ranges from 0.01 to 10 nm and the frequency from 3×10 16 Hz to 3×10 19 Hz. Hospitals use X-ray radiations in analyzing bones for fractures. Gamma rays have the highest energy. The wavelength is less than ten picometers and frequency higher than 1019 Hz.
Without the electromagnetic spectrum, the world would be a dark place for everyone. For example, communication through radios, mobile phones, televisions would be impossible. The advancement of technology would not have taken place on earth because technology relies on electromagnetic spectrum heavily. All sectors of economy globally could develop without electromagnetic spectrum discovery. The current developments in technology witnessed across the world are as a result of the electromagnetic spectrum.
References
Andrews, C. L. (2006). Optics of the Electromagnetic Spectrum . Prentice-Hall.
DeVany, A. S., Eckert, R. D., Meyers, C. J., & O'Hara, D. J. (2008). A property system for market allocation of the electromagnetic spectrum: A legal-economic-engineering study. Stan. L. Rev. , 21 , 1499.
