The Electromagnetic Spectrum

What Are You Seeing?

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the entire range of light, from the longest radio waves to the shortest gamma rays. Much of this spectrum is invisible to our eyes, but it's all around us.

This explorer demonstrates the most important relationship in the EM spectrum: the one between wavelength and frequency.

• Long Wavelength (like Radio waves) means the wave is very stretched out. These waves have Low Frequency (fewer waves pass a point per second) and carry Low Energy.
• Short Wavelength (like Gamma rays) means the wave is very compressed. These waves have High Frequency (many waves pass per second) and carry High Energy.

As you move the slider, notice how the wave visual shrinks, while the frequency and energy increase. They have an inverse relationship!