The electromagnetic waves are energy carrying waves. The orders of electromagnetic waves from highest to lowest energy are - gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, and radio waves.
The seven types of electromagnetic waves with applications are - Radio waves: Communication; Microwaves: Heating and data transmission; Infrared waves: Used in remote control and imaging applications; Visible light: Help us see everything around us; Ultraviolet Waves: Useful in the study of galaxies; X-rays: Medical instruments to view bone structure; Gamma rays: Nuclear energy.
Waves Frequency Range (Hz) Wavelength Range
Gamma-rays 10^20 - 10^24 < 10-12 m
X-rays 10^17 - 10^20 1 nm - 1 pm
Ultraviolet 10^15 - 10^17 400 nm - 1 nm
Visible 4-7.5*10^14 750 nm - 400 nm
Near-infrared 1*10^14 - 4*10^14 2.5 μm - 750 nm
Infrared 10^13 - 10^14 25 μm - 2.5 μm
Microwaves 3*10^11 - 10^13 1 mm - 25 μm
Radio waves 3*10^3 < 3*10^11 > 1 mm
The energy of a single photon is E=hf or (h/2π) ω where 'h' is Planck's constant 6.626×10^−34 Joule.Second. They always travel at the speed of light i.e. 3x10^8 m/s.
The lowest energy radio waves travel at the speed of light, the electromagnetic spectrum is longer than infrared light and they have frequencies from 300 GHz to as low as 3 kHz.
Notable categories of mechanical waves are - transverse waves, longitudinal waves, and surface waves.
Sound waves, are mechanical waves, its frequency between 20Hz and 20KHz, and its wavelength is between 17 m and 17 mm, and travel at the speed of 343 m/s. Sound waves carry a small amount of mass with them as they travel.
The kinetic energy of the moving material particle E = (mv^2)/2 Joules, where its potential energy=0. They always travel as mechanical waves.
