Elektromagnetkiirguses

Elektromagnetkiirguses is the Estonian term for electromagnetic radiation. This is a form of energy that travels through space in the form of waves. These waves have both electric and magnetic field components that oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of propagation. The spectrum of electromagnetic radiation is vast, encompassing a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies.

At the lowest frequency end of the spectrum are radio waves, used for broadcasting and communication. Following radio waves are microwaves, utilized in radar and microwave ovens. Infrared radiation, which we perceive as heat, is next, followed by visible light, the portion of the spectrum that human eyes can detect. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, originating from the sun, is responsible for sunburns and is used in sterilization.

Further along the spectrum are X-rays, which can penetrate soft tissues and are used in medical imaging, and gamma rays, the highest energy form of electromagnetic radiation, produced by nuclear reactions and radioactive decay. All forms of electromagnetic radiation travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. The energy carried by electromagnetic radiation is quantized into packets called photons. The energy of a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the radiation.