Science
What is The electromagnetic spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum is the full range of light and related waves — from radio waves and microwaves to visible light, X-rays, and gamma rays. They all travel at the speed of light and differ only in their wavelength and energy.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the electromagnetic spectrum.
Key things to understand
- 1It's the full range of electromagnetic waves.
- 2It spans radio, microwave, infrared, visible, UV, X-ray, gamma.
- 3Visible light is just a tiny slice of it.
- 4Shorter wavelengths carry more energy.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
- The complete range of electromagnetic waves, from low-energy radio waves to high-energy gamma rays.
- Is visible light part of the electromagnetic spectrum?
- Yes — visible light is a small band in the middle of the spectrum, the part our eyes can see.
- What's the difference between the types of waves?
- They differ in wavelength and energy: radio waves are long and low-energy; gamma rays are short and high-energy.