The Electromagnetic Spectrum, Reflection, and Refraction

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of travel. Unlike sound or water waves, they require no medium and can travel through the vacuum of space. In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed, the speed of light, $c = 3.0 \times 10^8$ m/s. This universal speed connects frequency and wavelength through $c = f\lambda$, so waves with higher frequency have shorter wavelength.

The electromagnetic spectrum is the full range of electromagnetic waves arranged by frequency and wavelength. From lowest frequency and longest wavelength to highest frequency and shortest wavelength, the main regions are radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-ray