A PROJECT REPORT ON

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

SUBMITTED FOR SSCE

PHYSICS

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION TO BE HELD ON

- - 2025

SUBMITTED BY

SAHANA.M

XIIB1- SCIENCE STREAM

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude to

Mr Dr. R. KRISHNAMOORTHY Chairman Sri Krish
International School for his guidance throughout the
work on this project.

I am highly thankful to Mrs Dr. S. UDAYA CHITRA

principal for her valuable guidance and for her constant
encouragement.

I am highly thankful to Mrs NAVITHA ALVA for her

valuable guidance and for her constant encouragement.

I am highly thankful to Mr MANOHAR T for his

valuable guidance and for his constant encouragement.

I take this opportunity to thank all those who have

helped me to complete this project in time.

PLACE: CHENNAI

DATE:

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 CERTIFICATE

This to certify that the project titled

“ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM” is a work
done by SAHANA.M during the year 2024-25.

SUBMITTED ON:

INTERNAL EXAMINER

EXTERNAL EXAMINER

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 PREFACE

In terms of the directive of the CBSE, learning

of physics should be activity oriented wherein
students besides grasping the theory could
easily apply the concepts and get it easily.

File covers the study of electromagnetic

spectrum.

The project file contains the theory and

applications of electromagnetic spectrum.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Introduction

2. Definition of electromagnetic spectrum

3. Electromagnetic waves

4. Types of electromagnetic waves

5. Spectroscopy

6. Significance of electromagnetic spectrum

7. Practical applications of electromagnetic

waves

8. Formulas for the electromagnetic radiation

9. Conclusion

10. Bibliography

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 INTRODUCTION

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses a wide variety of

electromagnetic energy. Radioactive fallout is energy that
needs to travel and propagates out as it ends up going; for
example, visible light from such a light fixture in your home
and radiofrequency from a broadcaster are both examples of
electromagnetic fields.

Microwaves, infra-red rays, UV – light, X-rays, and gamma-

rays are the other categories of the electromagnetic spectrum
that comprise the radio wave.

You know more about the visible spectrum than you might
believe. The appearance below depicts where you might come
into contact with each significant chunk of the Wavelength
range in your daily life.

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 DEFINITION

The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of frequencies,

wavelengths and photon energies covering frequencies
from below 1 hertz to above 1025 Hz, corresponding to
wavelengths which are a few kilometres to a fraction of
the size of an atomic nucleus in the spectrum of
electromagnetic waves. Generally, in a
vacuum, electromagnetic waves tend to travel at speeds
which is similar to that of light. However, they do so at
a wide range of wavelengths, frequencies and photon
energies.

The electromagnetic spectrum consists of a span of all

electromagnetic radiation which further contains many
subranges, which are commonly referred to as portions.
These can be further classified as infrared radiation,
visible light or ultraviolet radiation.

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 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of frequencies,

wavelengths and photon energies covering frequencies
from below 1 hertz to above 1025 Hz, corresponding to
wavelengths which are a few kilometres to a fraction of
the size of an atomic nucleus in the spectrum of
electromagnetic waves.

Generally, in a vacuum, electromagnetic waves tend to

travel at speeds which is similar to that of light.
However, they do so at a wide range of wavelengths,
frequencies and photon energies.

The electromagnetic spectrum consists of a span of all

electromagnetic radiation which further contains many
subranges, which are commonly referred to as portions.
These can be further classified as infrared radiation,
visible light or ultraviolet radiation.

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TYPES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

The entire range (electromagnetic spectrum) is given by radio waves,

microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultra-violet radiation, X-
rays, gamma rays and cosmic rays in the increasing order of
frequency and decreasing order of wavelength. The type of radiation
and their frequency and wavelength ranges are as follows

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 • RADIO WAVES

Radio waves have the lowest average among the various types
of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic radiation would
transport other nerve impulses to the transmitter and receiver,
converting the signals into data into useful information. So,
several natural and manufactured radiation emits
electromagnetic waves.

Anything that releases heat consequences the environment in

varying degrees across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Radio waves are emitted by stars, planetary systems, and
other celestial bodies. Broadcast media stations and cell phone
corporations generate microwave radiation that allows
communication picked up by the papillae in your broadcast,
radio, or smartphone.

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 • MICROWAVES

Microwaves are just the EM spectrum’s initial permeation.

Microwaves are a few mm wide to a foot long, whereas higher
frequencies can be metres long. Microwaves can infiltrate
impediments that conflict with the electromagnetic spectrum,
such as the earth’s atmosphere, smoke, and thunderstorm,
resulting in higher intensity.

Microwaves can transmit radar, landline telephone calls, and

digital information while cooking your dinner. All across the
planetary system, microwave vestiges of the “Big Bang”
absorb and emit in all directions.

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 • INFRARED WAVES

The electromagnetic spectrum between microwave and visible

light is known as the Infrared region. Types of radiation range
in size from a few millimetres to 700 nm wavelengths.

The infrared region is divided into three regions on the basis

of wavelength. These three regions are called near-infrared,
mid-infrared and far-infrared.

Infrared rays are used in night vision instruments, remote,

heat sensors, spectroscopy and many more.

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 • VISIBLE LIGHT

Perceptible light waves allow you to see your surroundings.

People perceive the radio wavelengths of radiant energy as the
colours and patterns. The frequencies progress from short
energies, which are detected as reds, to higher specific
wavelengths intercepted as scarlet hues.

Solar energy is, of course, the most observable renewable

substance of illumination. Particles are classified as indirect
colours depending on which wavelengths of visible light they
dissolve and demonstrate.

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 • ULTRAVIOLET WAVES

The types of radiation of ultraviolet waves are even relatively

short than those of visible range. Sunburn is caused by UV
waves, which can also cause cancer in living cells.

UV rays are emitted by high-temperature operations and can

be encountered from every shooting star throughout the
planetary system. Order to detect UV signals, for example,
aids planetary nebulae in learning about the structural system
of galaxies.

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 • X-RAYS

X-rays are exceedingly high waves with an electromagnetic

spectrum ranging from 0.03 to 3 nanometers or about the
length of an atom.
X-rays are transmitted by sources with elevated temperatures,
such as the sun’s corona, as it is much slightly warmer than
the outer solar system.

Extreme energetic gravitational anomalies produce X-rays

such as pulsars, neutron stars, and neutron stars. In
neuroimaging, X-rays are generally used to view bony parts of
the human body.

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 • GAMMA RAYS

Gamma waves are the most excellent possible

electromagnetic radiation, and they are converted into heat
only by the most enthusiastic cosmic entities, such as pulsars,
supernovas, supernovae, and black holes. Static electricity,
radioactive substances, and nuclear isotopes are plant sources.

The electromagnetic spectrum of gamma waves is estimated

at the molecular scale and can pass toward the open area
within an atom. Gamma rays can destroy cell lines; indeed,
the Earth’s climate absorbs any electromagnetic waves that
reach the solar system.

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 SPECTROSCOPY

Spectroscopy: Spectroscopy is used to study the way

different electromagnetic waves interact with matter.

We can learn about a substance by analysing the EM spectrum

given by it. When light scatters or passes through matter, it
tends to interact with molecules and atoms.
Since atoms and molecules have resonance frequencies, they
directly interact with those light waves having the exact
frequencies.
When collisions occur in an excited state, the atoms and
molecules emit light with a certain set of characteristic
frequencies. This further results in a line spectrum. Here, only
light with detached wavelengths is produced.
The spectrum is also not continuous, but it consists of a set of
emission lines.

In cases where light with continuous wavelengths passes

through a low-density material, the atoms and molecules of
the material will absorb light waves with the same set of
characteristic frequencies.
This results in the production of the absorption spectrum,
which is a nearly continuous spectrum with missing lines.

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 SIGNIFICANCE OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

The electromagnetic waves in these different bands

have different characteristics depending upon how they
are produced, how they interact with matter and their
practical applications.

Maxwell’s equations predicted the existence of an

infinite number of frequencies of electromagnetic
waves, all travelling with the speed of light. This is the
first indication of the existence of the entire
electromagnetic spectrum.

Nonetheless, the main significance of the

electromagnetic spectrum is that it can be used to
classify electromagnetic waves and arrange them
according to their different frequencies or wavelengths

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 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

● The radio waves and microwaves discovered by Hertz

paved the way for wireless television, radio and mobile
communication.

● The visible light portion of the electromagnetic

spectrum is the reason for all visual aids in daily life.
This is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that
helps us to see all objects, including colours.

● The X-rays discovered by Roentgen proved to be

useful in medicine for detecting many ailments or
deformities in bones.

● The high ultraviolet radiation has energies to ionise

the atoms causing chemical reactions.

● The gamma rays discovered by Paul Villard are

useful for ionisation purposes and nuclear medicine.

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 FORMULAS FOR THE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION

The frequency(f), speed(c), energy(E) and

wavelength(λ) of electromagnetic waves are related as

Where,

● c = 299792458 m/s is the speed of light in a vacuum

● h = 6.62607015×10−34 J·s =
4.13566733(10)×10−15 eV·s is Planck’s constant.

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 CONCLUSION

The electromagnetic spectrum is a fundamental aspect

of our understanding of the natural world,
encompassing all forms of electromagnetic radiation
from radio waves to gamma rays. Each type of wave
within the spectrum has unique properties and
applications that impact various fields such as
communication, medicine, industry, and scientific
research. Understanding the electromagnetic spectrum
allows us to harness these waves for practical uses,
from broadcasting and medical imaging to exploring the
universe.
This project has highlighted the diverse nature and
significance of electromagnetic waves, emphasizing
their role in advancing technology and enhancing our
daily lives. By studying the spectrum, we gain insights
into the behavior of waves and the underlying principles
of physics, fostering innovation and discovery. The
continuous exploration of the electromagnetic spectrum
promises further advancements and a deeper
comprehension of the universe and its phenomena.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.wikipedia

www.unacademy

www.electronicstutorials.ws

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