How do different frequencies affect electromagnetic wave properties?

Different frequencies affect the energy, wavelength, and type of electromagnetic waves, from radio waves to gamma rays.

The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of all electromagnetic waves arranged according to frequency and wavelength. The energy of an electromagnetic wave is directly proportional to its frequency, but inversely proportional to its wavelength. This means that as the frequency increases, the energy of the wave also increases, but the wavelength decreases.

Starting from the lower end of the spectrum, we have radio waves. These have the lowest frequency and longest wavelength. They are used in radio and television broadcasting, mobile phones, and satellite communication. As we move up the spectrum, the frequency increases and the wavelength decreases. We encounter microwaves, used in radar and microwave ovens, and infrared waves, which we feel as heat and use in remote controls.

Visible light is next, with a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than infrared. This is the only part of the spectrum we can see, and it's used in a variety of applications, from lighting to photography. Beyond visible light, we have ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays, all with increasingly higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths. These types of waves have enough energy to ionise atoms, which can be harmful to living tissue but useful in applications like medical imaging and cancer treatment.

In summary, the frequency of an electromagnetic wave determines its energy and its position on the electromagnetic spectrum, which in turn determines its properties and uses. From the long, low-energy radio waves used in broadcasting to the short, high-energy gamma rays used in medicine, the frequency of an electromagnetic wave has a significant impact on its properties.