Questions about the Electromagnetic Spectrum

[Oriako]

Hello,
We are all familiar with the standard classification of Radio, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays. But I had some questions about why these parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are the way that they are. I know it is characterized by the wavelength and frequency but what is it that actually causes it to be different?

-When does a gamma ray become an x-ray when it is approaching 0.01nm? Or is this 0.01nm point of "switching over" arbitrary?
-Why are the boundaries between the different types of waves at the wavelength that they are? Why do radio waves become microwaves around 0.4in and what is a wave classified as when it is on that exact boundary?

I understand that the electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of EMR, but why do these different types of radiation behave differently at a very specific wavelength?

If someone would be able to clarify these questions that would be wonderful.
Thanks!

 

[fss]

-When does a gamma ray become an x-ray when it is approaching 0.01nm? Or is this 0.01nm point of "switching over" arbitrary?

More or less arbitrary, and the boundaries are "fuzzy" anyways. There's no one frequency that's agreed upon that marks the end of the visible light spectrum and the beginning of the IR or UV spectrum, for example.

-Why are the boundaries between the different types of waves at the wavelength that they are? Why do radio waves become microwaves around 0.4in and what is a wave classified as when it is on that exact boundary?

They were given names and boundaries.

I understand that the electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of EMR, but why do these different types of radiation behave differently at a very specific wavelength?

I don't understand your question. Why do waves of different wavelengths behave differently? What "very specific wavelength" are you talking about?

 

[sweet springs]

Hi, Oriako.

Wiki Electromagnetic spectrum is convenient to know classification of light by spectrum. Lights interact with matter whose typical size is comparable with light wavelength. Such pairs include gamma ray and atomic nuclei, x ray and atoms, visible ray and sensor structure in our eyes, infrared and molecular oscillation, microwave and water polar oscillation, radio wave and antenna.
Regards.

 

[Sniperman724]

So basically a very specific frequency/wavelength is not needed for light to any other form of energy, but merely just gradually transitions from one form t the other?

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

The spectrum is a continuum, but not all the continuum is used for applications. The "boundaries" between the types are largely based on what technology is used to produce or detect the radiation.

The part that is called "light" is the part that can be detected by human eye. UV and IR are simply the parts that are just beyond this reference range. The part called radio is the part that can be created by AC electrical current. The part called microwave is called micro because the waves are small compared to radio. The part that is called gamma is the part that come out of nuclear reactions. And so on. As each range was discovered historically, it was given a name, and there isn't really any incentive to define any specific boundaries. Don't get overwhelmed. Had you been living along with the discoveries, you would have come up with the same "boundaries" very naturally.