The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from gamma rays (with shortest wavelength) to radio waves (with the longest wavelength). The electromagnetic spectrum is continuous, that is, there are no gaps in it and no frequencies anywhere in the range which does not exist. There is no sharp boundary between one type of waves and the next.
Some of the properties of all electromagnetic waves are as follows
- They are all transverse waves
- They travel with the same speed (speed of light) in a vacuum but slow down in other material mediums such as water and glass.
- They do not require any material medium to spread from one point to another
- They obey the laws of reflection and refractions
- They transfer energy from one place to another.
- They can be emitted and absorbed in matter.
- The wave equation is applicable to all these waves.
Their frequencies do not change when they enter from one medium (such as water) into another medium (such as air). This is because frequency depends only on the source of the wave. Only their speeds and wavelengths change from one medium to another. For example when light enters from vacuum into water, the speed decreases in water. The wavelength also decreases correspondingly when light enter from vacuum into water. Only the frequency remains unchanged.
Some of the properties of all electromagnetic waves are as follows
- They are all transverse waves
- They travel with the same speed (speed of light) in a vacuum but slow down in other material mediums such as water and glass.
- They do not require any material medium to spread from one point to another
- They obey the laws of reflection and refractions
- They transfer energy from one place to another.
- They can be emitted and absorbed in matter.
- The wave equation is applicable to all these waves.
Their frequencies do not change when they enter from one medium (such as water) into another medium (such as air). This is because frequency depends only on the source of the wave. Only their speeds and wavelengths change from one medium to another. For example when light enters from vacuum into water, the speed decreases in water. The wavelength also decreases correspondingly when light enter from vacuum into water. Only the frequency remains unchanged.
