What is the electromagnetic spectrum in simple terms?

In order from highest to lowest energy, the sections of the EM spectrum are named: gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, and radio waves . Microwaves (like the ones used in microwave ovens) are a subsection of the radio wave segment of the EM spectrum.

The electromagnetic spectrum includes, from longest wavelength to shortest: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-rays .

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation . Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation.

Though the sciences generally classify EM waves into seven basic types, all are manifestations of the same phenomenon.