Electromagnetic Radiation
As part of his chemistry class, Mark G. ('20), explored the concept of electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic Radiation Electromagnetic radiation is ever present in almost all facets of our lives, and yet most people don’t know or understand what it is. In fact, life as we know it would not be possible without its presence in the universe, as it plays a crucial role in “powering” us and our surroundings. It is critical in photosynthesis, which provides most life on Earth with sustenance through energy and also facilitates most forms of energy we have. But what is electromagnetic radiation? It is loosely defined as a “flow of energy at the universal speed of light” which travels through open space and even certain materials as electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves include, but are not limited to, “radio waves, visible light, and gamma rays.” Based on modern Quantum theory, this radiation is a flow of photons, which are basically pockets of energy, through space. This radiation can be visualized using the electromagnetic light spectrum which shows how different energies and wavelengths correspond to different types of radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation is present in our lives in many places. Visible light includes the color and light that we see from things like lightbulbs, computers, and fireflies. Our microwave ovens use “microwaves” to heat our food and radios use “radio” waves to facilitate communication, hence their names. Planes even use radar waves to guide themselves, and the infrared rays from heaters warm us at night. There are countless examples of electromagnetic radiation in our society, but we also use it as energy. Most types of fuel we have on Earth, including gas, coal, and oil, are derived from electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun and trapped in the Earth millions of years ago. Of course, as anyone who has studied biology knows, the rays from the Sun, also electromagnetic radiation, are essential for life on Earth. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll to transform solar electromagnetic radiation into energy. By eating plants or other animals who have eaten plants, humans and all ecosystems transfer this energy originally derived from the sun, and use it as sustenance. One could make a strong argument that life as a whole would not exist if not for electromagnetic radiation, and at the very least life as we know it certainly would not. So how can most of us have so little understanding or awareness of something that is so omnipresent and important in our lives? Everyone should know of and understand electromagnetic radiation, so that we can all better understand the world around us and how it works. Something so fundamental in the world around us should be fundamental knowledge for all, so that we may comprehend and appreciate its importance.
Works Cited:
Fritzsche, H., & Phillips, M. (2017, October 18). Electromagnetic radiation. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/science/electromagnetic-radiation.
NASA. (2013, March). The electromagnetic spectrum. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/toolbox/emspectrum1.html.
Electromagnetic radiation is present in our lives in many places. Visible light includes the color and light that we see from things like lightbulbs, computers, and fireflies. Our microwave ovens use “microwaves” to heat our food and radios use “radio” waves to facilitate communication, hence their names. Planes even use radar waves to guide themselves, and the infrared rays from heaters warm us at night. There are countless examples of electromagnetic radiation in our society, but we also use it as energy. Most types of fuel we have on Earth, including gas, coal, and oil, are derived from electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun and trapped in the Earth millions of years ago. Of course, as anyone who has studied biology knows, the rays from the Sun, also electromagnetic radiation, are essential for life on Earth. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll to transform solar electromagnetic radiation into energy. By eating plants or other animals who have eaten plants, humans and all ecosystems transfer this energy originally derived from the sun, and use it as sustenance. One could make a strong argument that life as a whole would not exist if not for electromagnetic radiation, and at the very least life as we know it certainly would not. So how can most of us have so little understanding or awareness of something that is so omnipresent and important in our lives? Everyone should know of and understand electromagnetic radiation, so that we can all better understand the world around us and how it works. Something so fundamental in the world around us should be fundamental knowledge for all, so that we may comprehend and appreciate its importance.
Works Cited:
Fritzsche, H., & Phillips, M. (2017, October 18). Electromagnetic radiation. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/science/electromagnetic-radiation.
NASA. (2013, March). The electromagnetic spectrum. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/toolbox/emspectrum1.html.
