Electromagnetic Spectrum

light · energy · invisible waves · science

Radio waves rule. Radio waves are the lowest energy waves in the spectrum and the ones with the longest wavelengths. They're used to broadcast music, news, and TV shows right through the air to your devices.

Microwaves heat fast. Microwaves are shorter and punchier than radio waves, and they make water molecules spin super fast, creating heat. This is exactly how a microwave oven cooks your pizza in minutes instead of hours.

Infrared feels warm. Infrared waves are what you feel as heat from a fire or the sun on your skin. Night vision cameras use infrared to see in total darkness because warm things give off these invisible heat waves.

Visible light only part. The light your eyes can actually see (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) is just a tiny sliver of the whole electromagnetic spectrum. Everything else is invisible to human eyes, but other animals and machines can detect it.

UV rays cause burns. Ultraviolet waves from the sun have more energy than visible light and can damage your skin if you get too much sun. Sunscreen blocks these invisible rays and keeps your skin safe.