All matter absorbs and emits radiation covering a broad band of frequencies and wavelengths. Thus electromagnetic radiation has the velocity of light (2.998×108 ms-1) and arises from the vibrating electric charges in atoms and bonds. The range of wavelengths, also known as the electromagnetic spectrum, is shown below:
Wavelengths of electromagnetic waves can be shown with the help of electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation spectrum is divided into several areas from γ-radiation of very short wavelengths and great energy to radio waves with wavelengths up to 1 000 m. The human eye can only see a narrow part of the electromagnetic spectrum - visible radiation.
Absorption coefficient (a) is the relative decrease in the intensity of a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation, as a result of absorption by a medium, during traversal of an infinitesimal layer of the medium, divided by the length traversed.
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) An analytical technique in which a sample is vapourised and the nonexcited atoms absorb electromagnetic radiation at characteristic wavelengths.
Chemiluminescence is energy release in form of electromagnetic radiation during a chemical reaction.
Gamma radiation is electromagnetic radiation of extremely short wavelength. Gamma radiation ranges in energy from about 10-15 J to 10-10 J (10 keV to 10 MeV) (wavelength less than about 1 pm). Gamma rays are emitted by excited atomic nuclei during the process of passing to a lower excitation state.
Gamma rays are extremely penetrating and are absorbed by dense materials like lead and uranium. Exposure to gamma radiation may be lethal.
Gaussian system of units is a hybrid system used in electromagnetic theory, which combines features of both the electrostatic cgs subsystem (esu) and electromagnetic cgs subsystem (emu). With three base units, it uses em units in magnetism and es units in electrostatics. This involves using the constant c (the velocity of light in vacuum) to interrelate these sets of units.
In most cases light can be described as an electromagnetic wave. Geometrical optics is an approximation in which the waves can be represented as straight-line rays. This approximation is valid if the light waves do not meet obstacles comparable in size to the wavelength of radiation.
Generalic, Eni. "Elektromagnetski val." Croatian-English Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary. 29 June 2022. KTF-Split. {Date of access}. <https://glossary.periodni.com>.
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