Electromagnetic spectrum

Question 1

what are electromagnetic waves

Answer 1

transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of waves to an absorber

Question 2

EM spectrum in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength

Answer 2

Radiowaves, Microwaves, Infrared radiation, Visible light, Ultraviolet light, X rays, Gamma Rays

Question 3

what part of the EM spectrum can humans detect

Answer 3

only visible light

Question 3

what are the two components of an electromagnetic wave

Answer 3

oscillating and magnetic fields

Question 4

EM waves through a vacuum

Answer 4

EM waves form a continuous spectrum and all types of EM waves travel at the same velocity thtough a vacuum

Question 5

Radio waves uses

Answer 5

Telecommunication, TV and radio

Question 6

dangers of radio waves

Answer 6

does not cause any damage if absorbed by the human body, can be reflected or refracted to change their direction

Question 7

uses of microwaves

Answer 7

Cooking and satellite communications

Question 8

dangers of microwaves

Answer 8

Heating body tissues, cataracts, skin burns

Question 9

uses of infrared radiation

Answer 9

cooking, night vision, tv remote, burglar alarms

Question 10

dangers of infrared radiation

Answer 10

can cause skin burns

Question 11

visible light uses

Answer 11

seeing

Question 12

dangers of visible light

Answer 12

Usually harmless however some light can be so intense and harm receptor cells in eyes

Question 12

uses of ultraviolet light

Answer 12

detects counterfeit notes

Question 13

dangers of UV light

Answer 13

sunburn and skin cancer

Question 14

uses of x rays

Answer 14

medical imagery

Question 15

dangers of x rays

Answer 15

increased risk of cancer

Question 16

uses of gamma rays

Answer 16

killing cancer cells and bacteria

Question 17

dangers of gamma rays

Answer 17

skin cancer, cause ionisations

Question 18

how is refraction caused

Answer 18

difference in velocity of waves in different substances

Question 19

how can an electric signal be produced

Answer 19

oscillating electric charge in radio transmitter produces EM wave. when wave reaches a radio aerial, the process is reversed and the oscillating waves generate an electric signal

Question 20

how can radio waves induce oscillations in an electrical circuit

Answer 20

when radio waves are absorbed, they can create an alternating current with the same frequency as the wave, inducing the oscillations

Question 21

how are gamma rays produced

Answer 21

changes in the nucleus of an atom

Question 22

what dangers do x rays and gamma rays both have

Answer 22

ionising radiation which can cause the mutation of genes and cancer.