Electromagnetic radiation is more common than you think. Radio andTV stations emit radio waves when they broadcast their programs;microwaves cook your food in a microwave oven; dentists use X raysto check your teeth. Even though they have different names anddifferent applications, these types of radiation are really all thesame thing: electromagnetic (EM) waves, that is, energy thattravels in the form of oscillating electric and magnetic fields Consider the following:
radio waves emitted by a weather radar system to detectraindrops and ice crystals in the atmosphere to study weatherpatterns;
microwaves used in communication satellite transmissions;
infrared waves that are perceived as heat when you turn on aburner on an electric stove;
the multicolor light in a rainbow;
the ultraviolet solar radiation that reaches the surface of theearth and causes unprotected skin to burn; and
X rays used in medicine for diagnostic imaging