What makes up the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is a family of waves that travel through space by way of the production of electric and magnetic fields. Changing electric fields are set up by the oscillation of charged particles and these changing electric fields induce changing magnetic fields in the surrounding space. Changing magnetic fields then set up more changing electric fields and so on. The net result is that the wave energy travels across space.All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed through the same medium or substance but they have a variety of frequencies which provide a corresponding variety of wavelengths. If the original charged particle vibrates rapidly, the frequency of the wave is high. Because there are many oscillations per second, the corresponding wavelength is short. Conversely, if the original charged particle vibrates slowly, the frequency of the wave is low and the corresponding wavelength is long.The whole range of frequencies and wavelengths is called the electromagnetic spectrum and different parts of the spectrum are given different names. These parts of the spectrum have different properties and, consequently, they have different uses. Therefore, it can be seen that there is the need for the coexistence of all kinds of radio services, which use the electromagnetic spectrum to convey information, with technical processes and products emitting electromagnetic energy as an undesirable by-product. Furthermore, the problems of EMC are not limited to interference with radio services because electronic equipment of all kinds is becoming more susceptible to malfunctions caused by external interference. This is particularly relevant in the case of electronic equipment that is required to continue running for economic or safety reasons. Banking systems and aircraft computers are two notable examples.