Question

What is the difference between X-rays, ultraviolet, visible and IR radiation?

Answer 1

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum encompasses all forms of electromagnetic radiation. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it travels – for example, visible light from a lamp in our home and radio waves from a radio station are both examples of electromagnetic radiation. Microwaves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma-rays are the other forms of electromagnetic radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum.

Complete answer:
Electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from below one hertz to above hertz are included in the electromagnetic spectrum, corresponding to wavelengths ranging from thousands of kilometres to a fraction of an atomic nucleus's size. The electromagnetic waves within each frequency band are referred to by various names, starting with radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays at the low-frequency (long wavelength) end and ending with radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays at the high-frequency (short wavelength) end.

Now we'll look at how X-Rays, Ultraviolet, Visible, and Infrared Radiation vary (Infrared Radiation). They're all in ascending order of wavelength. The X-ray is the most powerful of the three types of radiation. It also has the shortest wavelength, ranging from 0.01 nm to 10 nm, of the three. UV is the longest wavelength radiation of photons with enough energy to ionise atoms, removing electrons from them, and triggering chemical reactions.

UV radiation is emitted by the Sun. As compared to visible light, ultraviolet is much more intense and has a shorter wavelength (400 nm to 10 nm). The human eye detects and perceives electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 380 nm and 760 nm (400–790 terahertz) as visible light.

Infrared Radiation: The infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum spans 300 GHz to 400 THz (1 mm – 750 nm).
The following is a comparison based on their application:
-Night vision goggles detect infrared light produced by our skin and objects that emit heat.Infrared light lets us map the dust between stars in space.
-Visible light is detected by our eyes. Visible light is emitted by fireflies, light bulbs, and stars.

Ultraviolet: The Sun emits ultraviolet radiation, which causes skin to brown and burn.Extremely hot UV radiation is emitted by objects in space as well.X-rays are used by dentists to image your teeth, and airport security uses them to look at your bag. X-rays are also emitted by hot gases in the universe.

Note: Ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have very short wavelengths. Rather than using wavelengths, astronomers who research certain parts of the electromagnetic spectrum refer to photons by their energies, which are measured in electron volts (eV).