Light and the EM spectrum

Light and the EM spectrum

1. The Electromagnetic spectrum

   • Radio waves
     • Low frequency
     • Emits low amounts of energy
     • Can be used for sending communications at a short length
     • Can burn the body as they can be hot
   • Microwaves
     • low frequency
     • Can be used for cooking food and for bluetooth
     • Emits low amounts of energy
     • Can burn the body
   • Infra-red
     • Low frequency
     • Emits low amounts of energy
     • Used in remote controls
     • Can cause burns on the body
   • Visible light
     • Middle frequency on the spectrum
     • Emits moderate amount of energy
     • Allows is to see things in colour
     • Intense visible light can damage receptor cells in the eye
   • Ultra-violet
     • High frequency
     • Emits high amounts of energy
     • Can cause sun burn which can higher the risk cancer
     • Can be used to sterilise surgical equipment
   • X-Rays
     • High Frequency
     • Emits high amounts of energy
     • Can be used for seeing bones in the human body
     • High exposure can higher the risk of cancer
   • Gamma Rays
     • Highest frequency on the Spectrum
     • Emits the highest amount of energy on the spectrum
     • Can be used for cancer treatment by killing cancer cells
     • High exposure can higher the risk of cancer

Images and files in the map