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electromagnetic waves
energy, unassociated with matter, that is transmitted through space by means of waves. In all instances it travels at 3×1010 cm or 186,284 miles per second, but it ranges in length from 1011 cm (electrical waves) to 10−12 cm (cosmic rays). In between those two extremes, in order of decreasing wavelength, are radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, x-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays. Called also electromagnetic radiation.
Diagrammatic representation of electromagnetic waves.

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