Electromagnetic radiation
Description
The entire spectrum of radiant energy or light. Electromagnetic radiation travels though space at the speed of light in the form of photons. Each photon is characterized by its specific frequency and wavelength. The highest energy photons have the shortest wavelengths. Some groups of electromagnetic radiation are (from high energy to low energy): cosmic rays, radiation gamma rays, x-rays, radiation ultraviolet radiation, radiation visible radiation, radiation infrared radiation, microwaves, and frequency radio waves. The effects of radiation are measured in terms of its quality (wavelength distribution), quantity (intensity or energy) and duration (time).
Synonyms and Related Terms
electromagnetic spectrum; EMS; electromagnetic energy; electromagnetic waves; radiation; light; elektromagnetisk strling (Dan., Nor.); Elektromagnetische Wellen (Deut.); radiacin electromagntica (Esp.); rayonnement lectromagntique (Fr.); elektromagnetische straling (Ned.); Radiao electromagntica (Port.); elektromagnetisk strlning (Sven.)
Authority
- Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Electromagnetic Radiation." Encyclopdia Britannica. 19 Aug. 2004 .
- Thomas B. Brill, Thomas B. Brill, Light Its Interaction with Art and Antiquities, Plenum Press, New York City, 1980
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005)
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
- Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000