Which type of energy includes forms like light, x-rays, and microwaves?

Electromagnetic energy encompasses a broad spectrum of energy forms, including light, x-rays, and microwaves. This type of energy is fundamentally related to the oscillation of electric and magnetic fields, which can travel through space as waves.

Light is visible electromagnetic radiation that our eyes can detect, while x-rays are higher-energy waves used in medical imaging, and microwaves are utilized in various technologies, including cooking and telecommunications. The key characteristic of electromagnetic energy is its wave-particle duality, meaning it can exhibit properties of both waves and particles, commonly referred to as photons.

In contrast to mechanical energy, which involves motion or position of objects, or chemical energy, which is stored in bonds between atoms, and gravitational potential energy, which is dependent on an object's height and mass within a gravitational field, electromagnetic energy specifically refers to the energy carried by electromagnetic waves across different frequencies. This makes it distinct and a vital concept in understanding various physical phenomena and applications in technology.