Quote: "In physics, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) consists of waves of the electromagnetic (EM) field, which propagate through space and carry momentum and electromagnetic radiant energy."
Emission of electromagnetic waves by charged particles or accelerating charges.
Electromagnetic Waves: A type of energy that travels through space at the speed of light and includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Maxwell's Equations: A set of four equations that describe the behavior of electric and magnetic fields, their sources, and their interactions with matter.
Electromagnetic Spectrum: A range of all the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, including both visible and invisible waves.
Quantum Mechanics: A branch of physics that focuses on the behavior of matter and energy on a subatomic level.
Nuclear Physics: The study of the behavior and properties of atomic nuclei, including the radioactive decay of unstable isotopes.
Atomic Structure: The arrangement and behavior of protons, neutrons, and electrons within an atom.
Radiation Dosimetry: The measurement and analysis of the amount and distribution of radiation absorbed by a specific material or organism.
Radiation Protection: The practices and techniques used to minimize the risk of harm from exposure to ionizing radiation.
Radiation Detection: The use of specialized equipment and sensors to detect and measure radiation levels in a variety of settings.
Radioactive Decay: The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus releases energy and particle(s) to become more stable.
Particle Accelerators: Machines that use electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged particles to high speeds and energies.
Radiobiology: The study of the biological effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms.
Medical Radiation Physics: The application of radiation physics in medical settings, such as in imaging and radiotherapy.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize internal structures of the body.
Radiotherapy: The use of targeted radiation to treat cancer and other medical conditions.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: A type of electromagnetic radiation with higher energy than visible light, which can cause damage to skin and eyes.
X-rays: A type of electromagnetic radiation commonly used in medical imaging and industrial inspection.
Gamma rays: A type of electromagnetic radiation with the highest energy and shortest wavelength, which can be emitted by radioactive materials and cosmic events.
Gamma Radiation: This is high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by atomic nuclei, usually during radioactive decay. It is the most penetrating of all types of radiation.
X-Rays: This is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than ultraviolet light but longer than gamma rays. X-rays are used in medical imaging and industrial non-destructive testing.
Ultraviolet Radiation: This is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than visible light and longer than X-rays. It is responsible for sunburns and can cause skin cancer if exposure is extended.
Visible light: This is electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye. It is responsible for the perception of color and the ability to see.
Infrared Radiation: This is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than visible light but shorter than microwave radiation. It can be perceived as heat and is used in remote controls and infrared cameras.
Microwave Radiation: This is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than infrared radiation but shorter than radio waves. It is used in communication technologies such as cell phones and Wi-Fi.
Radio Waves: This is the lowest frequency electromagnetic radiation. It is used in communication technologies such as television and radio broadcasts.
Cosmic Rays: These are high-energy particles that originate from outer space. They can create secondary particles and can cause damage to electronic equipment and living tissue.
Quote: "Types of EMR include radio waves, microwaves, infrared, (visible) light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays."
Quote: "In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, commonly denoted c."
Quote: "In homogeneous, isotropic media, the oscillations of the two fields are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of energy and wave propagation, forming a transverse wave."
Quote: "The position of an electromagnetic wave within the electromagnetic spectrum can be characterized by either its frequency of oscillation or its wavelength."
Quote: "In order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength these are: radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays."
Quote: "Electromagnetic waves are emitted by electrically charged particles undergoing acceleration."
Quote: "EM waves carry energy, momentum and angular momentum away from their source particle and can impart those quantities to matter with which they interact."
Quote: "EMR is sometimes referred to as the far field, as it is associated with those EM waves that are free to propagate themselves ('radiate') without the continuing influence of the moving charges that produced them."
Quote: "In this language, the near field refers to EM fields near the charges and current that directly produced them, specifically electromagnetic induction and electrostatic induction phenomena."
Quote: "In quantum mechanics, an alternate way of viewing EMR is that it consists of photons, uncharged elementary particles with zero rest mass which are the quanta of the electromagnetic field, responsible for all electromagnetic interactions."
Quote: "Quantum electrodynamics is the theory of how EMR interacts with matter on an atomic level."
Quote: "Quantum effects provide additional sources of EMR, such as the transition of electrons to lower energy levels in an atom and black-body radiation."
Quote: "The energy of an individual photon is quantized and is greater for photons of higher frequency. This relationship is given by Planck's equation E = hf."
Quote: "A single gamma ray photon, for example, might carry ~100,000 times the energy of a single photon of visible light."
Quote: "The effects of EMR upon chemical compounds and biological organisms depend both upon the radiation's power and its frequency."
Quote: "EMR of visible or lower frequencies (i.e., visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves) is called non-ionizing radiation."
Quote: "The effects of these radiations on chemical systems and living tissue are caused primarily by heating effects from the combined energy transfer of many photons."
Quote: "High frequency ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays are called ionizing radiation since individual photons of such high frequency have enough energy to ionize molecules or break chemical bonds."
Quote: "These radiations have the ability to cause chemical reactions and damage living cells beyond that resulting from simple heating, and can be a health hazard."