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    CALCULATORiQ™

    Electromagnetic Spectrum Explorer

    Explore the full electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays. Discover wavelengths, frequencies, and the energy of photons.

    Radio
    Microwaves
    Infrared
    Visible
    Ultraviolet
    X-Rays
    Gamma
    10⁻¹⁴ m (Gamma)10⁻⁷ m (Visible)10⁵ m (Radio)

    Ultraviolet

    Wavelength (λ)

    316.2 nm

    Frequency (f)

    948.0 THz

    Photon Energy

    3.92 eV

    Fundamental Relationships

    c = λf = 299,792,458 m/s

    E = hf = 3.92e+0 eV

    Higher energy than visible light, causes sunburn

    Sources

    • The Sun
    • UV lamps
    • Welding arcs
    • Black lights

    Applications

    • Sterilization and disinfection
    • Fluorescent lighting
    • Forensic analysis
    • Tanning beds

    Visible Light Colors

    Blackbody Radiation

    Peak Wavelength (Wien's Law)

    501.6 nm

    • Sun: ~5,778 K (yellow-white)

    • Sirius: ~9,940 K (blue-white)

    • Betelgeuse: ~3,500 K (red)

    Discovery

    1801 by Johann Ritter

    "Discovered by observing that silver chloride darkened beyond violet light"

    Complete EM Spectrum

    History of EM Discoveries

    1666

    Newton splits white light with a prism

    1800

    Herschel discovers infrared radiation

    1801

    Ritter discovers ultraviolet radiation

    1865

    Maxwell predicts electromagnetic waves

    1887

    Hertz proves radio waves exist

    1895

    Röntgen discovers X-rays

    1900

    Villard discovers gamma rays

    1905

    Einstein explains the photoelectric effect

    1964

    Penzias & Wilson discover cosmic microwave background