Electromagnetic Radiation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-009160",
  "term": "Electromagnetic Radiation",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Solar and terrestrial radiation are said to be electromagnetic, made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields which propogate at the speed of light. Solar radiation is shortwave and terrestrial radiation is longwave.\n\n2. Emission or propagation of electromagnetic energy (waves/rays), or the waves/rays themselves; a stream of electromagnetic particles (electrons, neutrons, protons, alpha particles) or a mixture of these. The most common source is the sun.\n\n3. Energy released in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, and medical x-rays.\n\n4. Energy propagated as time-varying electric and magnetic fields. These two fields are inextricably linked as a single entity since time-varying electric fields produce time-varying magnetic fields and vice versa. Light and radar are examples of electromagnetic radiation differing only in their wavelengths (or frequency). Electric and magnetic fields propagate through space at the speed of light.\n\n5. Energy transfer in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles that release energy when absorbed by an object.",
  "abbreviation": "EMR",
  "references": [
    "My NASA Data Glossary",
    "NIH Genetics Home Reference Glossary",
    "NASA Earth Observatory Glossary; NOAA Climate Program Office Glossary",
    "Adapted from Glossary of Climate Change Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/electromagnetic-radiation/"
}