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Electromagnetic Spectrum

EM Spectrum

Try this!

Consider that the hydrogen atom is the smallest atom, typically having a size of approximately 20 nm. What type of electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength similar in size to that of the hydrogen atom?
infrared
ultraviolet
microwave
X-ray
Predict which item below would correspond to the type of radiation having a wavelength in the radio wave region of the spectrum = 2 x 10⁹nm?
a large watermelon
a grape
the height of Michael Jordan
the height of a full size refrigerator
Which of these items corresponds to the wavelength of infrared radiation (10⁴nm)?
an orange
a green pea
the length of a Lincoln Town Car
a soccer ball
If the size of a helium atom were equivalent to the wavelength of gamma rays (10^-12m), what do you think would be equivalent to the longest radio waves (10³m)?
the length of the Mississippi River
the height of Mt. Everest
the average man's shoe size
the length of an Olympic size swimming pool

This activity was developed by Jacqueline Slay, Largo High School, Largo, MD

Imagine the Universe is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Nicholas White (Director), within the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Jim Lochner
All material on this site has been created and updated between 1997-2004.

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