Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
How big are radio waves?
Between the size of a human to a building
Are radio waves helpful or harmful?
More helpful
What are the uses of radio waves?
Ship and boat communication, television, cellular telephones, AM and RM radio stations
What size are microwaves?
Between the size of a bee to a pinpoint
Are microwaves helpful or harmful?
Helpful
What are the uses of microwaves?
Microwave ovens and communication
What size are infrared waves?
Between the size of a cell to bacteria. 1,000 waves in a cm
Are infrared waves helpful or harmful?
Helpful
What are the uses of infrared waves?
Thermal photographs of houses and diseased areas on the surface of the human body, and remote control for televisions
What size are visible light waves?
About the size of a virus. 500,000 waves in a cm
Are visible light waves helpful or harmful?
Helpful
What are the uses of visible light waves?
Artificial light and lasers
How big are ultraviolet waves?
Between the size of bacteria to molecules. 1 million waves in a cm
Are ultraviolet waves helpful or harmful?
Both, because they can cause damage to the eyes and skin, but have great uses in everyday life
What are the uses of ultraviolet waves?
Suntanning, solar panels, and “black lights” in shows
What size are x-rays?
Between the size of molecules to atoms. 100 million waves in a cm
Are x-rays helpful or harmful?
Both, because they can cause radiation exposure but are also very helpful in places like hospitals
What are the uses of x-rays?
Photographs for parts of the human body, and the measurement of thickness and manufacturing
What size are gamma rays?
About the size of a nucleus. 10 billion waves in a cm
Are gamma rays helpful or harmful?
Harmful
What are the uses of gamma rays?
Studying what makes up matter and unusual events in distant galaxies
