Electromagnetic Spectrum - Try This!

Electromagnetic Spectrum - Solution

Consider that the hydrogen atom is the smallest atom, typically having a size of approximately 20 nm. What type of electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength similar in size to that of the hydrogen atom?
infrared
ultraviolet
microwave
X-ray
Predict which item below would correspond to the type of radiation having a wavelength in the radio wave region of the spectrum = 2 x 10⁹nm?
a large watermelon
a grape
the height of Michael Jordan
the height of a full size refrigerator
Which of these items corresponds to the wavelength of infrared radiation (10⁴nm)?
an orange
a green pea
the length of a Lincoln Town Car
a soccer ball
If the size of a helium atom were equivalent to the wavelength of gamma rays (10^-12m), what do you think would be equivalent to the longest radio waves (10³m)?
the length of the Mississippi River
the height of Mt. Everest
the average man's shoe size
the length of an Olympic size swimming pool

A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC