Dangers of EM waves Flashcards
how can ionising radiation cause cancer?
-radiations with a high enough energy (ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma rays) can break molecules of substances into ions by removing electrons from the atoms inside
-ions can trigger other chemical reactions
-chemical reactions in the skin caused by ionised atoms may alter DNA molecules and mutate or kill skin cells
-mutated cells may then multiply and develop into a tumor
-this is skin cancer
describe ultraviolet rays
-ultraviolet rays can cause skin to age prematurely, and can increase the risk of skin cancer
-we can protect our skin from ultraviolet waves by wearing sun glasses, sun creams and limiting our exposure to the sun
describe gamma rays and x-rays
-gamma rays and x-rays are the most dangerous type of radiation to us because they have the highest energies and the highest frequencies
-gamma, x-ray and ultraviolet can all cause our cells to mutate which can lead to cancer
what are the dangers of radiowaves?
larger doses may cause cancer- but that is very unlikely
how can you prevent the dangers of radiowaves?
-reduce amount of time on phone
-avoid making calls when signal is weak
what are the uses of radiowaves?
-television
-radio
-phones
what are the dangers of microwaves?
causes heating of body tissues
how can you prevent the dangers of microwaves?
-keep away from cell phone towers
-use microwave protection
what are the uses of microwaves?
-cooking food
-communications
-satelites
what are the dangers of infrared?
can cause burns
how can you prevent the dangers of infrared?
special shield or goggles
what are the uses of infrared?
-electrical heaters
-thermal imaging cameras
what are the dangers of visible rays?
over exposure can cause damage to eyes
what are the ways of preventing the dangers of visible rays?
-suncream
-sunglasses
what are the uses of visible rays?
-photography
-illumination
what are the dangers of ultraviolet waves?
premature aging and skin cancer
how can you prevent the dangers of ultraviolet waves?
-hat
-sunglasses
-suncream
what are the uses of ultraviolet waves?
-killing bacteria
-curing ink
what are the dangers of x-rays?
small risk of cancer
how can you prevent the dangers of x-rays?
-lead apron
-safety goggles
what are the uses of x-rays?
hospitals
what are the dangers of gamma rays?
cause ionizations that damage tissue and DNA
how can you prevent the dangers of gamma rays?
barriers of lead, concrete or water
what are the uses of gamma rays?
-sterilize food
-sterilize medical equipment
