Types of electromagnetic waves

Types of electromagnetic waves

The 7 types of electromagnetic waves are:

• Radio waves
• Microwaves
• Infrared waves
• Visible light
• Ultraviolet waves
• X-rays
• Gamma rays

Uses of electromagnetic waves

Each type of wave has different uses. Some examples:

• Radio waves
  • Radio and television broadcasting
  • Cell phone communication
• Microwaves
  • Cooking food
  • Radar systems
• Infrared waves
  • Remote controls
  • Thermal imaging
  • Night vision
• Visible light
  • Well, seeing things!
• Ultraviolet waves
  • Sterilization
  • Tanning beds
• X-rays
  • Medical imaging
  • Security scanners
• Gamma rays
  • Cancer treatment
  • Sterilization of medical equipment

Speed of electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light - which is about 3.00 \times 10^8 meters per second in a vacuum.

This means that all EM waves, no matteer their wavelength / type, travel at the same speed in the same medium.