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Electromagnetic Spectrum

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Lesson notes

Electromagnetic Waves

  • The electromagnetic spectrum is arranged in order of wavelength or frequency.
  • Regions with long wavelength have low frequency and vice versa.
  • Order from longest to shortest wavelength: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.
  • Visible light is a small part of the EM spectrum.
  • All EM waves are transverse waves that transfer energy.
  • All EM waves travel at the same high speed in a vacuum: 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s.

The electromagnetic spectrum, showing the seven regions in order of decreasing wavelength (increasing frequency), from radio waves to gamma rays.

The electromagnetic spectrum, showing the seven regions in order of decreasing wavelength (increasing frequency), from radio waves to gamma rays.

Uses of Electromagnetic Waves

  • Radio waves: radio and television transmissions, radar.
  • Microwaves: satellite TV, mobile phones, microwave ovens.
  • Infrared: TV remote controllers, thermal imaging.
  • Visible light: vision, photography.
  • Ultraviolet: detecting fake banknotes.
  • X-rays: medical scanning, security scanners.
  • Gamma rays: detection and treatment of cancer.

A summary of the uses of each region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the reason each region is suited to its use.

A summary of the uses of each region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the reason each region is suited to its use.

Dangers of Electromagnetic Waves

  • As frequency increases, energy of EM waves increases.
  • Beyond visible (UV, X-rays, gamma rays) waves are ionising – they can remove electrons from atoms.
  • Higher frequency EM waves are more ionising.
  • Ultraviolet: damages surface cells and eyes, leading to skin cancer and eye conditions.
  • X-rays and gamma rays: can cause mutation or damage to cells in the body, leading to cancer.
  • Sunscreen absorbs UV; good sunglasses absorb UV to protect eyes.

The dangers of high-intensity microwaves, and of gamma rays, X-rays and high-intensity ultraviolet, with the reason each is harmful.

The dangers of high-intensity microwaves, and of gamma rays, X-rays and high-intensity ultraviolet, with the reason each is harmful.

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.Arrange the following regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength (longest first).

    Easy
    • ultraviolet
    • microwaves
    • visible light
    • radio waves
  2. 2.All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.

    Easy

    True or false?

  3. 3.State one use of microwaves.

    Easy
  4. 4.State two harmful effects of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

    Easy
  5. 5.Complete the sentence:

    Medium

    The electromagnetic spectrum is arranged in order of decreasing ____ and increasing ____.

  6. 6.What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum? Give your answer in m/s.

    Easy
    • A300000000
    • B360000000
    • C330000000
    • D270000000
  7. 7.Which type of electromagnetic radiation is used for thermal imaging?

    Easy
    • AInfrared
    • BUltraviolet
    • CMicrowaves
    • DRadio waves
  8. 8.X-rays and gamma rays are the most ionising types of electromagnetic waves.

    Easy

    True or false?

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