sources in between in order of decreasing frequency are gamma rays x rays ultraviolet visible light infrared microwaves long wave radio induction heating and power waves the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation range from millionths of a centimeter to many kilometers the properties of the different waves along the spectrum are important in determining heating effect visibility penetration and other characteristics regardless of the frequency wavelength or method of propagation electromagnetic waves travel at a speed of 3 u00d7 10 10 cm 186 272 miles per second in a vacuum all the components of the electromagnetic spectrum regardless of frequency also have in common the typical properties of wave motion including diffraction and interference electromagnetic radiation is one way in which energy may be transmitted and unlike other methods of transmitting energy it needs no material medium for transmission as a result electromagnetic radiation is a desirable method to transmit energy in a reduced atmosphere environment electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 10 to 1 000 000 nanometers 1 millimeter is used in the practice of this invention this range spans the ultraviolet visible light and infrared ranges each region within this wavelength range offers different effects which differ farther depending upon whether they are falling on water solvent solid or semisolid the long wavelengths of the far infrared region affect water molecules in a similar fashion as do microwaves however by utilizing the far infrared waves rather than microwaves the difficulties of shielding and arcing are not encountered mid range.