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GCSE Physics > P13 - EM Waves > Flashcards

P13 - EM Waves Flashcards

1
Q

EM spectrum in order (starting with longest wavelength)

A

Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet radiation, X rays and gamma radiation

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2
Q

Radio waves wavelength

A

Kilometres

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3
Q

Microwaves wavelength

A

Between kilometres and millimetres

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4
Q

Infrared wavelength

A

Millimetres

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5
Q

Visible light

A

Between millimetres and nanometres

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6
Q

Ultraviolet radiation

A

Between Nanometres and picometres

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7
Q

X-rays and gamma radiation

A

Picometres

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8
Q

What properties do EM waves share?

A

They are all transverse waves
They can travel in a vacuum
They travel at 3 x 10^8 m/s

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9
Q

What is increasing energy proportional to on the EM spectrum?

A

Increasing frequency

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10
Q

What is increasing energy inversely proportional to on the EM spectrum?

A

Increasing wavelength

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11
Q

Wave speed equation

A

Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m)

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12
Q

P13 RP : To investigate which materials emit the most infrared radiation ( method)

A

Method
1. Fill a kettle with an appropriate amount of water
2. Boil the kettle
3. Place a heat proof mat underneath a Leslie Cube(each side with a different material)
4. Fill the Leslie Cube with boiling water
5. Measure 10cm from one side of the Leslie Cube ( directly in the middle)
6. From 10cm use an infra red thermometer to measure the temperature
7. Record the temperature
8. Change the side and repeat steps 5 to 7.

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13
Q

The shorter the wavelength of the wave…

A
  1. The more information carried
  2. The shorter the range (greater absorption by the atmosphere)
  3. The less they spread out.
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14
Q

Which objects emit more infrared radiation?

A

Hotter objects

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15
Q

Which surfaces absorb more infrared radiation?

A

Dark, Matte Black surfaces

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16
Q

Which part of the EM spectrum do optical fibres use and why?

A

Optical fibres in communications systems usually use infrared radiation instead of visible light. This is because infrared radiation is absorbed less than visible light in the glass fibres.

17
Q

How do microwaves heat food?

A

Microwaves penetrate into food and are absorbed by the water molecules in the food, heating it

18
Q

Why can microwaves and radio waves be hazardous?

A

Because they penetrate people’s bodies and can heat the internal parts of the body.

19
Q

Why might children be more affected than adults by Electromagnetic radiation?

A

Because children have thinner skulls than adults there brains might be more affected by mobile phone radiation.

20
Q

What are optical fibres?

A

Very thin glass fibres. They are used to transmit signals carried by light or infrared radiation.

21
Q

Why can’t the light rays escape from the optical fibres?

A

When they reach the surface of the fibre, they are reflected back into the fibre.

22
Q

Differences between optical fibres and radio waves, microwaves

A

Optical fibres carry much more information as light has a much shorter wavelength than radio waves and so can carry more pulses of waves
Optical fibres are more secure because the signals stay in the fibre

23
Q

Hazards of Ultraviolet Waves

A

They are harmful to human eyes and can cause blindness
Harmful to skin- can cause sunburn and skin cancer

24
Q

Ways to protect against Ultraviolet Waves

A

Use skin creams to block UV waves
If in a sunbed wear special googles to protect your eyes

25
Q

Similarities between X-rays and gamma rays

A

Short wavelength end of the EM spectrum
Carry much more energy per second than longer-wavelength EM waves

26
Q

Differences between X-rays and Gamma rays

A

• X-rays are produced when electrons or other particles moving at high speeds are stopped - X-ray tubes are used to produce X-rays
gamma rays are produced by radioactive substances when unstable
nuclei release energy
•
gamma rays have shorter wavelengths than X-rays, so they can penetrate substances more than X-rays can.

27
Q

Uses of Gamma rays

A

Exposing food to gamma rays kills 99% of disease- carrying organisms
Exposing surgical instruments to gamma rays kills any bacteria on the instruments
Doctors use Gamma ray therapy to destroy cancaerous tumours

28
Q

What is ionisation?

A

When atoms become charged because they lose electrons.

29
Q

What are examples of ionising radiation?

A

X-rays and gamma rays

30
Q

What can ionisation do?

A

If ionisation happens to a living cell, it can damage or kill the cell. For this reason, exposure to too many X-rays or gamma rays is dangerous and can cause cancer. High doses kill living cells, and low doses cause gene mutation and cancerous growth.

31
Q

Safety measures against ionising radiation

A

People who use equipment or substances that produce any form of
ionising radiation (e.g., X-rays or gamma rays) must wear a film badge. If

the badge shows that it is over-exposed to ionising radiation, its wearer is

not allowed to continue working with the equipment for a period of time.

32
Q

How do X-rays travel through the body?

A

X-rays pass through soft tissue but are absorbed by bones (also teeth and some metal objects)

33
Q

What does the radiation dose depend on?

A

Type of radiation used
How long the body is exposed to it
The energy per second absorbed by the body from the radiation

34
Q

What is radiation dose measured in?

A

Sieverts (Sv)

35
Q

What is X-ray therapy?

A

Doctors use X-ray therapy to destroy cancerous tumours in the body.

36
Q

How does X-ray therapy work?

A

Thick plates between the X-ray tube and the body stop X-rays from reaching healthy body tissues. A gap between the plates allows X-rays through to reach the tumour

37
Q

X rays for therapy wavlength

A

Shorter in wavelength than X-rays used for imaging

38
Q

How do X rays work?

A

In an X-ray tube when fast-moving electrons hit a target.

GCSE Physics (9 decks)

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