Different Wave Frequencies

Frequency Basics

• Frequency represents the number of wave cycles that occur per unit of time. One cycle is defined as the distance from wave crest to wave crest, or wave trough to wave trough. Time is typically measured in seconds. The unit for frequency is called a Hertz, representing the number of cycles of a given wave per second.
  
  

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Electromagnetic energy (radiation) flows in waves. There are many different types of electromagnetic energy, each with a unique corresponding frequency range. Together, they form the electromagnetic spectrum. The range of the spectrum flows from high frequencies, high energy, and short wavelengths, to low frequencies, low energy and large wavelengths. The spectrum includes radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray waves.
  
  

Radio Waves

• Radio waves represent the largest portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio waves range from extra-low-frequency to ultra-high-frequency waves, including AM and FM waves. All of these radio waves have a low frequency, less than 3 x 10E9 Hertz. Wavelengths range from 10 feet to 300 yards.
  
  

Microwave Waves

• Microwaves are used in both radar and the household microwave oven. These waves have a slightly higher frequency than radio waves, ranging from 3 x 10E9 to 3 x 10E12 Hertz. They have slightly more energy, and wavelengths that range from the size of a cell to a baseball.
  
  

Infrared Waves

• Infrared waves represent the next portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. These waves have a higher frequency than microwaves, ranging from 3 x 10E12 to 4.3 x 10E14 Hertz. Infrared wavelengths are about the size of bacteria.
  
  

Visible Light Waves

• Visible light waves occupy the smallest range of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging in frequency from 4.3 x 10E14 to 7.5 x 10E14 Hertz. Each color has a different frequency. From lower to higher frequency, the colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
  
  

Ultraviolet Waves

• Ultraviolet waves, responsible for sunburns, are the next highest frequency. These waves range in frequency from 7.5 x 10E14 to 3 x 10E17 Hertz. Their wavelengths are about the size of a virus.
  
  

X-ray Waves

• X-ray waves represent the second highest frequencies, ranging from 3 x 10E17 to 3 x 10E19 Hertz. Their wavelengths range from the size of a protein to a water molecule. This small wavelength and high energy makes them highly suitable for penetrating materials, hence their use in X-rays. However, this energy can be damaging to cells with long exposures.
  
  

Gamma Waves

• Gamma waves are produced by radioactive materials and represent the highest frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum, over 3 x 10E19 Hertz. Their wavelengths are about the size of 30 hydrogen atoms. They have tremendous energy, making them highly destructive to cells.