electromagnetic waves Flashcards
how are radio waves created and what are their uses and dangers
they are made using oscillations in electrical circuits, they are used for communications (radio, TV) and have no dangers
how are micro waves created and what are their uses and dangers
they are created the same way as radio waves, with oscillations in electrical circuits, they are used for heating food, satellites and mobile phones and they could cause skin burn in extreme cases
how do microwaves heat food
micro waves are very well absorbed by water molecules, giving energy to the molecules and causing the food to heat up
how is infrared created and what are its uses and dangers
infrared is created through changes in the electrons of atoms, it is used for seeing in the dark (infrared camera), thermal imaging. TV remote, ovens and heat treatment and its dangers are skin burns
how is ultraviolet light created and what are its uses and dangers
it is made in the same way as infrared, its uses are detecting forgery, sterilising and tanning and its dangers are skin cancer
how are X-rays created and what are their uses and dangers
medical x-rays are made by high speed electrons colliding with glass, their uses are detecting broken bones, security scans and their dangers are that they can cause mutations in the DNA of cells (known as ionisation). this can either kill cells or cause them to reproduce rapidly, which can cause cancer
how are gamma rays created and what are their uses and dangers
they are created through changes in nuclei, their uses are treating cancer and sterilisation, and their dangers are the same as x-rays, they can cause ionisation
