|
Region |
Wavelength |
Frequency
(Hz) |
Energy
(ev) |
Click on the phenomenon of interest to you
|
| Gamma Rays |
less than
0.1 A
|
greater than
3x1019
|
greater than
105
|
- Accretion discs of black holes
- Pulsars and neutron stars
- Nuclear processes
- Collisions between matter and antimatter
- Thermonuclear explosions
- Treatment for cancer
|
| Xrays |
0.1-10 A |
3x1019-3x1017 |
105-103 |
- Solar corona and near solar flares
- Supernova remnants
- Medical Diagnoses
- Study of the structure of matter
- Produced by rapidly deccelerating energetic electrons
|
| UltraViolet |
10-4000A |
3x1017-7.5x1014 |
103-3 |
- spectral maximum of hot stars exceding 10,000oK
- useful for studying galactic dust
- quasars
- Ionization of atomic Hydrogen in its groundstate
- Ozone layer
- Harmful to biological tissue
|
| Visible Light |
4000-7000A |
7.5x1014-4.3x1014 |
3-2 |
- Spectral maximum of the Sun
- Aurora Borielis
- Rainbows
- Photosynthesis: plants convert visible light to chemical energy
- Electronic transitions in atoms and molecules
- Fiber optic cables
- Light bulbs
- Solar panels and light detectors
|
| Infrared |
7000-106A |
4.3x1014-3x1012 |
2-10-2 |
- Cool stars less than 1,000oK
- Regions of star formation
- Thermal energy of solids, liquids, and gasses
- Pit vipers (e.g., rattlesnakes) are able to detect infrared radiation
produced by the body of small warm blooded mammals
- Wireless technology such as that used in the remote control of tvs, wireless computer keyboards, etc.
|
| Microwaves |
10-4-0.1 meters |
3x1012-3x109 |
10-3-10-5 |
- Cosmic background radiation
left over from the big bang.
- Heating of materials containing water
- Microwave ovens
- Radar
- Satellite dishes
|
| Radio |
greater than
0.1 meters
|
less than
3x109
|
10-5 |
- Cold interstellar medium and molecular/dust clouds
- Space around neutron
stars and white dwarfs
- Atoms may absorb or emit radio waves by changing their spin state
|
