The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Introduction
The electromagnetic spectrum is produced by all stars, including our Sun. Because these energies radiate from the Sun as waves and travel through space to reach all the planets of our solar system, including Earth, the energies that make up this spectrum are often referred to as radiation.
Walk out into the sunlight on a bright sunny day. Think of the kinds of energy you notice. Light and heat should come to mind right away. Another type of energy that you may have heard of but don’t usually notice is ultraviolet energy. This energy can give you a suntan or sunburn, and in large amounts over time it can cause cancer. The Sun also produces other types of energy that you can’t detect. All of these types of electromagnetic radiation will be discussed in this lesson.