Electromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is like a rainbow with all the different colors mixed together. But instead of colors you have different kinds of energy. This energy is made up of tiny invisible waves called electromagnetic waves. The waves are sorted by how long they are. The waves can be really long or really short.
The longest waves are called radio waves. These waves are used for things like radio stations, TV stations, and cell phones.
Next are microwaves. They are shorter than radio waves and are used for things like cell phones, satellites, and microwaves.
After that come infrared waves, which are even shorter. They're important because they carry heat and let us see things in the dark.
Next are visible light waves. These are the colors we can see: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
After that are ultraviolet waves, which are even shorter. These waves are used to protect us from the sun's radiation.
The last waves on the spectrum are x-rays and gamma waves. These waves are really really short and really powerful. They can help doctors see inside our bodies to figure out what's wrong.
The longest waves are called radio waves. These waves are used for things like radio stations, TV stations, and cell phones.
Next are microwaves. They are shorter than radio waves and are used for things like cell phones, satellites, and microwaves.
After that come infrared waves, which are even shorter. They're important because they carry heat and let us see things in the dark.
Next are visible light waves. These are the colors we can see: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
After that are ultraviolet waves, which are even shorter. These waves are used to protect us from the sun's radiation.
The last waves on the spectrum are x-rays and gamma waves. These waves are really really short and really powerful. They can help doctors see inside our bodies to figure out what's wrong.
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