Energy and Waves

An electromagnetic system is the range of all the waves that travel through matter and space. Scientists use the spectrum to study the space's composition. They measure the wavelength and amplitude of the waves.

Amplitude is the measure of the highest and lowest point of the wave. The crest is the highest point of the wave. The trough is the lowest point of the wave.

Frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass a point per second. It is measured in Hertz , where 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second. Frequency tells us how fast the wave is oscillating. 

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave. It is usually measured in meters, centimeters, or nanometers.  Shorter waves are more packed together, while longer ones have less waves over a given distance.

The longest wavelength is radio waves, which have less frequency. The shortest wavelength is gamma rays, which have the most frequency. The list from longest wavelength to shortest looks like this ; Radio > Microwave > Infrared > Visible > Ultraviolet > X-ray > Gamma ray.

The energy of a wave is its wavelength. Short wavelengths have more energy. Longer wavelengths have less energy.

Gamma waves have the highest energy. Radio waves have the least energy out of all the others. The list from lowest energy to highest looks similar to #5's ; Radio > Microwave > Infrared > Visible > Ultraviolet > X-ray > Gamma ray.