P1 - topic 2 - The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation Flashcards
as the frequency of EM radiation changes, what else changes?
it’s interaction with matter
What are examples of the way EM radiation interacts with matter?
absorbs
reflects
transmit
Can the EM waves at each end of the spectrum tend to be able to do what’s
pas through material
EM waves nearer to the middles are absorbed/transmitted?
absorbed
The effects of EM waves on humans depends on what?
the frequency of the EM wave
Why does the frequency of a wave determine the effect that it has on humans?
the frequency determines the energy of the waves
The properties of EM waves depends on what?
their frequency
Why are some waves more harmful than others?
because they have a high frequency, so the more energy the radiation had
microwaves have similar frequency to the vibrations of many what?
molecules
How do microwaves result in heating?
increase the vibrations
Why do microwaves harm humans?
they heat human body cells
what waves do mobile phones use?
microwaves
Why have mobile phones and the increasing use of them caused concern?
the handset is often held close to the brain, so there has been links with brain tumours
The vibrate range of frequencies can make what happen?
the surface of molecules of any substance vibrate
Do infrared waves have a heating effect?
yes
are infrared waves more dangerous than microwaves and why? (the both have a heating effect)
yes, because they have a higher, so carries more energy than microwave radiation
if the human body is exposed to too much infrared radiation, what can happen?
it can cause nasty skin burns
is ultraviolet radiation ionising?
yes
why is infrared radiation ionising?
it carries enough energy to knock electrons off atoms
Why has ultraviolet radiation have more energy than infrared radiation?
it has a higher frequency
when does sunburn happen?
when surface skin cells have been damaged by absorbing UV rays in sunlight
what can absorbing UV rays in sunlight (sun burn) cause?
cell mutation it destruction and skin cancer
What radiation can cause eye damage?
Ultra violet
give two examples of very high frequency waves
gamma rays and X rays
gamma rays and X rays are ionising. T/F
true
what waves have more energy than UV rays?
gamma and X rays
Gamma rays and X rays have much more energy than UV rays, what does this mean?
they can be much more damaging and they can penetrate further into the body
like all ionising radiation, gamma and X Ray radiation can cause what?
cell mutation or destruction and cancer
what does cell mutation lead to?
tissue damage
