Does the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum represent a large portion of the spectrum?

Answer 1

No, the optical spectrum does not represent a large portion of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation begins with what might be termed "radio waves" and goes up from there. There are a number of "radio" bands, and they take up much of the spectrum. Microwaves top the list, and lead to the infrared (IR) radiation that sits just below the visible spectrum (or optical spectrum). Above visible light we have ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and beyond that, X-rays and cosmic rays. A picture might be worth a couple of hundred words, and by using the links below you can find diagrams plus additional information.

Answer 2

The small problem in answering questions like this one is the fact that the

electromagnetic spectrum has no ends. So, before you can compare the 'sizes'

of parts of the spectrum, you first have to decide on what you'll use as 'ends'.

In order to deliver the answer to this one with the proper "shock and awe", let's

begin by comparing visible light to radio only, and temporarily ignore the infrared,

heat, ultraviolet, X-rays, and all that other stuff.

Even regarding radio, we have to decide what to use for 'ends'.

-- The lowest frequency on the AM radio dial is 550 KHz, and communications

equipment is built for commercial use up to frequencies of 80 GHz.

-- Those 'end' frequencies span a ratio of 145,000 to 1, or about 17 octaves,

for radio alone.

-- Now, add in the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum, up to gamma rays, with

frequencies around, say, 1019 Hz.

-- Compared to the bottom of the AM broadcast band, we now have frequencies

that extend over a ratio of 1.8 x 1013 ... 44 octaves.

-- Visible light spans a frequency range of roughly 2 to 1 ... one octave.

Answer 3

Visible light is a very small part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Out of the more than 50 octaves of frequency that everyone would agree

are included in the spectrum, visible light covers only roughly a single octave.

Answer 4

No, the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is only a small portion. It ranges from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers in wavelength, representing the colors that the human eye can perceive.

Answer 5

Visible light constitutes only a very small parts of the visible spectrum.

Answer 6

Visible light makes up a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Answer 7

False