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There is a simple explanation for the sharp limit on the short wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum. The shortest electromagnetic waves are generated by the reactions of subatomic particles. At some point, it just isn't possible to generate a higher frequency electromagnetic wave. We can imagine them, but they cannot be "made" by us (in particle accelerators) nor are they "caused to occur" in nature (by catastrophic cosmic events).

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Q: Why does the continuous electromagnetic spectrum have a sharp limit on the short wavelength end?
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What is the longest wavelengh in the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelength are called "radio waves". There is no limit to how long the wavelengths can be.


What is the shortest wavelength value in visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum?

The violet end of the rainbow is the end with the shortest wavelength (highest frequency). The limits of perception are different for each individual, but industrial photometry considers the lower wavelength limit of human perception to occur at 360 nanometers = 0.000036 centimeter = about 0.000014 inch


What is non visible light?

Plenty. Electromagnetic radiation can occur at all wavelengths imaginable but our eyes can only sense a very narrow band of these (called the visible spectrum, called "light"). Radio waves for example are at frequencies we cannot see, though they can be detected by other methods (radio receivers). X rays are another example, actually damaging if a person is exposed to them for a significant time.


How does the width of the visible spectrum compare to the entire electromagnetic spectrum?

it is slap bang in the midde of the spectrum, with Ultra Violet light on one side, and Infra red on the other. In a vacuum it travels at the same speed as all of the others (the speed of light) UV has a shorter wavelength, and Infra red has a slightly longer one.


What are the highest- frequency and lowest -frequency parts of the EM spectrum?

The highest frequency is gamma rays And the lowest is radio waves

Related questions

What does a elctromagnetic spectrum do?

Type your answer here...The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.[1] The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object.The electromagnetic spectrum extends from low frequencies used for modern radio to gamma radiation at the short-wavelength end, covering wavelengths from thousands of kilometers down to a fraction of the size of an atom. The long wavelength limit is the size of the universe itself, while it is thought that the short wavelength limit is in the vicinity of the Planck length, although in principle the spectrum is infinite and continuous.


Why was the finding of the light spectrum important?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object.The electromagnetic spectrum extends from low frequencies used for modern radio communication to gamma radiation at the short-wavelength (high-frequency) end, thereby covering wavelengths from thousands of kilometers down to a fraction of the size of an atom. It is for this reason that the electromagnetic spectrum is highly studied for spectroscopic purposes to characterize matter. The limit for long wavelength is the size of the universe itself, while it is thought that the short wavelength limit is in the vicinity of the Planck length, although in principle the spectrum is infinite and continuous.


How much of the electromagnetic spectrum in contained in white light?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.[1] The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object. The electromagnetic spectrum extends from below frequencies used for modern radio through to gamma radiation at the short-wavelength end, covering wavelengths from thousands of kilometers down to a fraction of the size of an atom. The long wavelength limit is the size of the universe itself, while it is thought that the short wavelength limit is in the vicinity of the Planck length, although in principle the spectrum is infinite and continuous. EM radiation with a wavelength between 380 nm and 760 nm (790-400 terahertz) is detected by the human eye and perceived as visible light. So only a very small portion of the entire spectrum is visible.


What is the longest wavelength on a electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelength are called radio waves.


What is eletromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the full range of known electromagnetic radiation, ranging from radio waves to gamma rays. Radio waves are at one end of the spectrum with the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency. Gamma rays at the other end have the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency. (frequency = wave oscillations per second) Most electromagnetic radiation can fall into one of the following categories: Radiowave Microwave Infrared Visible (light) Ultraviolet X-rays Gamma Rays [This list is in increasing order of frequency)


What is the longest wavelengh in the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelength are called "radio waves". There is no limit to how long the wavelengths can be.


What are the wavelength's of electromagnetic radiation?

The wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation extend from any long wavelength, withno upper limit no matter how long, continuously through all possible wavelengths, withno gaps, down to any short wavelength, with no lower limit no matter how short.


What is the shortest wavelength value in visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum?

The violet end of the rainbow is the end with the shortest wavelength (highest frequency). The limits of perception are different for each individual, but industrial photometry considers the lower wavelength limit of human perception to occur at 360 nanometers = 0.000036 centimeter = about 0.000014 inch


An electro magnetic wave known to possess the longest wavelength?

The electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelengths are called radio waves. There is no upper limit as to how large the wavelength can get; for example, you might imagine an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength as large as the diameter of our galaxy. That would still be called a radio wave.


Do radio waves have the shortest wavelength?

First of all, your question is not worded all that well. When we speak of a wave, in this case an electromagnetic one (as opposed to one made of water perhaps), we tend to describe them quantitatively with certain numbers. One may speak of the frequency of the wave (measured in Hertz), the energy of a wave (in joules), or, in your case, the wavelength of a wave (in metres). The electromagnetic spectrum is usually taught to span from radio waves (waves with relatively large wavelengths and low frequencies) to gamma rays (waves with relatively small wavelenths and very high frequencies). The misunderstanding you seem to have is that the electromagnetic spectrum stops at radio waves. It does not. In theory, the electromagnetic spectrum is infinite and continuous. That is to say, there is no limit to how large a wavelength can be nor how small one can be. The electromagnetic spectrum susually stops at radio waves (with a typical wavelength ranging from 1 to 10 metres) because waves longer than these lose their practicality. In theory, they exist, but they simply are not as important to us than their shorter cousins!!! Just as a side note, "long waves" are said to have a wavelength of around order 10^3 metres (or just around the order of a kilometre). Theoretically, I can imagine it possible to have a wave with a wavelength as long as the universe itself! Of course, as I mentioned earlier, such waves are of little practical value to us. As a result, yes it does have the "longest" waves.


What is the range of electromagnetic force?

Empirically speaking, it is the Hubble Limit. According to established theory, it is indefinite. I'm leaning toward the Hubble Limit being the right answer


What are the highest-frequency and the lowest-frequency parts of the em spectrum?

-- The lowest frequencies that we have a name for are what we call "radio" waves. -- The highest frequencies that we have a name for are what we call "gamma" rays. Although there is not upper or lower limit in the electromagnetic spectrum.