Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
Continuous spectrum of waves
What does every part of the spectrum have in common?
They all transfer energy
The all travel at the same speed.
They are all transverse waves
They can all be reflected or refracted.
Which side of the spectrum has the longest wavelength?
Radio waves side
What side has the highest frequency?
Gamma rays side
What side has the highest energy?
Gamma rays side
What is the phrase to help you remember the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Roman Men Invented Very Unusual X-ray Guns
What are some of the uses of radio waves? Are they dangerous?
Mainly used for communication such as broadcasting television and radio, communications and satellite transmissions.
They do not cause damage if absorbed by the human body and they can be reflected to change their direction.
What are some of the uses for microwaves? Are they dangerous?
Mainly used cooking food and for satellite communication.
Intense sources of microwaves can be dangerous through internal heating of body cells.
What are some uses of infrared? Are they dangerous?
Used is things like infrared cookers, heaters and also for night vision devices. Exposure to intense infrared radiation can damage the lens and cornea of the eye. It can also lead to skin damage.
What are some of the uses of visible light? Are they dangerous?
Used for sight, can be sent along optical fibres so being useful for communication, photography. Generally harmless but sometimes be so intense to the extent of damaging receptor cells in human eyes resulting in temporary or even permanent blindness.
What are some uses of ultra violet? Are they dangerous?
Uses include fluorescent tubes and UV tanning lamps It is harmful to eyes and can cause skin damage. It can be reduced by the use of protection goggles.
What are some uses of x-rays? Are they dangerous?
Observing the internal structure of objects and materials. For example medical rays, baggage screenings.Can cause mutation of genes which leads to cancer.
What are some uses of gamma rays? Dangerous?
Main uses include sterilising equipment and food and radiotherapy. Can cause mutation of genes which leads to cancer.
How do X ray photographs work?
X ray waves will be reflected off metal surfaces and be absorbed by some materials like bone. This is why they create shadows (the black area where the X ray beams have got through) and the white area is where the beams have not got through.
