electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetic spectrum

1. continuous range of wavelengths

2. types of radiation that occur in different parts of the spectrum have different uses and dangers- depending on their wavelength and frequency

3. 1. radio waves - television signal

4. 2. microwaves - cooking, mobile phones

5. 3. infrared - optical fibre communication

6. 4. visible light - seeing

7. 5. ultraviolet - detecting forged bank notes

8. 6. x - rays - medical images of bones

9. 7.gamma radiation - killing cancer cells

10. radio waves have lowest frequencies and longest wavelengths

11. gamma waves have highest frequencies and shortest wavelengths

12. white light can be split up to form a spectrum using a prism

    • light waves are refracted as they enter and leave the prism
    • shorter the wavelength of the light, the more it is refracted.

13. hazards

    • higher the frequency of the radiation - more damage it is likely to cause to the body
      • microwaves - cause internal heating of body tissues
      • infrared radiation - felt as heat and causes skin to burn
      • x-rays - damage cells causing mutations
      • gamma rays- damage cells causing mutations

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