Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from one meter to one millimeter; with frequencies between 300 MHz (1 m) and 300 GHz (1 mm).
These are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than infrared light. They have the lowest frequency and longest wavelength of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. They're like the big semi-trucks on our highway analogy - slower and bigger than microwaves.
Infrared Waves: These waves sit between microwaves and visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. They're like smaller delivery vans - faster than semis but slower than our microwave "trucks".
This is a classification system for all types of waves, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. It's like our road map showing where each vehicle (wave) belongs.