The
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The Electromagnetic
Spectrum and ANSTO
Wavelength (m)
102
The Australian Nuclear Science
The energy from the Sun
101
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and other objects in the
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universe travels to Earth in
and Technology Organisation
waves. Unlike sound,
(ANSTO) is home to Australia’s
nuclear science and technology
electromagnetic energy
expertise. ANSTO utilises
can travel through a
different parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum for
vacuum (empty space).
environmental and medical
research. Each week, ANSTO
delivers 10,000 patient doses of
Speed
potentially lifesaving nuclear
medicines to more than 250
All electromagnetic waves travel
hospitals and medical practices
at the speed of light (300,000 km
across Australia.
Scale (approx)
per second) in a vacuum.
By releasing small targeted
Wavelength
amounts of gamma radiation,
Although the waves all travel at
these medicines are used in
the same speed, the shape of
medical scans to diagnose a
the wave may repeat very
wide range of illnesses including
quickly (short wavelength),
heart disease, cancers and
Buildings
skeletal injuries.
Humans
Honey bee
Needle point
Cell
Protein
Water molecule
Atom
while others repeat more slowly
Atomic nuclei
(long wavelength). In the
electromagnetic spectrum,
wavelengths vary from several
Frequency waves per second (Hz)
kilometres long to smaller than
an atom.
Low
High
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Energy
Long wavelength waves have
low energy, while those with
short wavelengths have high
Types of waves
energy.
The ANSTO operated Australian
Frequency
Synchrotron is a highly intense
The frequency of a wave is
source of light ranging from
simply the number of times that
infrared to X-rays. Light from
the top of the wave passes a
the Australian Synchrotron is
point in one second. This is
used in many fields of research,
called ‘cycles per second’ and
including biosciences, medical
the scientific unit is ‘Hertz’ (Hz).
research, environmental
sciences, agriculture, minerals
exploration, engineering and
forensics.
Radio
Non-Ionising
Microwave
Infrared
Visible
Ultraviolet
X-Ray
Gamma
Ionising
The wavelength of an
electromagnetic wave,
multiplied by its frequency,
equals the speed of light.
The information in this poster is of a general nature and for educational purposes only.
Follow ANSTO
www.ansto.gov.au
www.synchrotron.org.au