Radiant Energy

Radiant Energy

Radiant energy is transferred in the form of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating (moving back and forth) electric and magnetic fields, like two waves that travel together perpendicular to each other. There are many types of electromagnetic waves that make up the electromagnetic spectrum, and they are classified by their wavelength.

Radio waves and microwaves have the longest wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, while x-rays and gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths but the highest energy. In the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum are the three main types of light that we get from the Sun, infrared light, visible light, and ultraviolet light.

Visible light, like its name suggests, is the type of light that humans use to see. It ranges in color from red to violet depending on the wavelength (red being the longest visible wavelength and violet being the shortest). When all of these wavelengths are present together in the light, such as sunlight or a standard light bulb, we call it “white light”. Infrared light is just outside the visible spectrum, with longer wavelengths than red light. It is often associated with thermal radiation, though other wavelengths can be responsible for heat. Ultraviolet light, just outside of the visible spectrum on the violet side, has wavelengths that are shorter than visible light. This type of radiant energy is often associated with sunburns.

WHAT COLORS ARE "ACTUALLY" IN A RAINBOW?