10-04-2017, 08:40 PM
Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like radio waves, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays. Microwaves have a range of applications, including communications, radar and, perhaps best known to most people, cooking. Electromagnetic radiation is transmitted in waves or particles at different wavelengths and frequencies. This wide range of wavelengths is known as the electromagnetic spectrum (EM spectrum). The spectrum is generally divided into seven regions in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency. Common names are radio waves, microwaves, infrared (IR), visible light, ultraviolet (UV), X-ray and gamma rays. Microwaves fall in the range of the EM spectrum between radio and infrared light.
Microwaves have frequencies ranging from about 3 billion cycles per second, or 3 gigahertz (GHz), to about 30 billion hertz (terahertz or THz) and wavelengths from about 30 centimeters (12 inches) to 3 millimeters ( 0.12 inches), although these values are not definitive. This region is further divided into a number of bands, designated as L, S, C, X, and K.
Microwaves have frequencies ranging from about 3 billion cycles per second, or 3 gigahertz (GHz), to about 30 billion hertz (terahertz or THz) and wavelengths from about 30 centimeters (12 inches) to 3 millimeters ( 0.12 inches), although these values are not definitive. This region is further divided into a number of bands, designated as L, S, C, X, and K.
