| Type of Radiation | Frequency Range (Hz) | Wavelength Range | Type of Transition |
|---|---|---|---|
| gamma-rays | 1020-1024 | <10-12 m | nuclear |
| x-rays | 1017-1020 | 1 nm-1 pm | inner electron |
| ultraviolet | 1015-1017 | 400 nm-1 nm | outer electron |
| visible | 4-7.5x1014 | 750 nm-400 nm | outer electron |
| near-infrared | 1012-4x1014 | 2.5 um-750 nm | outer electron molecular vibrations |
| infrared | 1011-1012 | 25 um-2.5 um | molecular vibrations |
| microwaves | 108-1012 | 1 mm-25 um | molecular rotations, electron spin flips* |
| radio waves | 100-108 | >1 mm | nuclear spin flips* |
*energy levels split by a magnetic field
http://www.scimedia.com/chem-ed/light/em-spec.htm, updated 11/3/96
Copyright © 1996 by Brian M. Tissue, all rights reserved.