X-rays are electromagnetic waves.
An electromagnetic wave is the diffusion of radiation of this type through the air. These waves do not require a material support for their expansion, which implies that they can travel in a vacuum.
Before entering fully into clarifying the meaning of the term, it is essential to determine the etymological origin of the two words that give it shape: onda comes from the Latin unda , which can be translated as "wave" ; and electromagnetic derives from Greek (from the components elektron , which is synonymous with "amber or electricity" ; magnes , which means " magnet " ; and the suffix -tico , which indicates "relative to" ).
It should be noted that the concept of wave has several meanings. It can be a ripple that spreads in a liquid or other ways of propagation. Electromagnetic , for its part, is the adjective that refers to events that link magnetic and electric fields.
Some data on electromagnetic waves
These are some of the most important facts about an electromagnetic wave:
- It propagates in a vacuum at a constant and not infinite speed. Specifically, it is considered to be 300,000 kilometers per second.
- It is generated from the oscillations generated by moving both magnetic and electrical particles at the same time.
- It has no barriers and is very important because it is a way for energy to be transported through the air. That is, without having to have cables or any similar physical device.
Its elements
When it comes to studying any electromagnetic wave, it is necessary to take into account the elements that give it shape. Among these are the following:
- Wavelength.
- Frequency. The number of times the wave repeats so it is the unit of time.
- Amplitude, which is the largest disturbance of the wave itself.
- Speed.
- Period, which is the inverse of the frequency.
Visible light is made up of electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic wave radiation
The existence of electromagnetic waves was proven by 19th century physicists when analyzing various issues related to electricity . Light waves, in fact, are part of the group of electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic radiation combines oscillating magnetic and electric fields, allowing electromagnetic waves to spread through space while carrying energy from one place to another.
X-rays , the light that we can see with our eyes and gamma rays are some of the manifestations of this electromagnetic radiation. The distribution of the energy of each of these waves makes up the electromagnetic spectrum .
Each object, for its part, has its own electromagnetic spectrum, formed by the radiation it is responsible for emitting and the radiation it manages to absorb. Scientists, through this spectrum, can recognize what substance it is.
The width of the electromagnetic spectrum is taken from the smallest length of radiation that emits a wave to the broadest wavelength. An X-ray, for example, emits a wave of small length, while radio propagates very broad waves.