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GCSE Physics > P5.2 - The EM Spectrum > Flashcards

P5.2 - The EM Spectrum Flashcards

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1
Q

How are EM waves created?

A

Vibrating particles create an oscillating electrostatic field, which creates an oscillating magnetic field field.
Repeats while transferring EM energy

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2
Q

What is the amplitude of EM radiation a measure of?

A

Light intensity

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3
Q

What is the wave speed of all EM waves in a vacuum?

A

3x10 to the power of 8

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4
Q

How are radio waves produced?

A

An oscillating potential difference applied across a wire
Those electrons oscillate back and forthat the same frequency, producing electrostatic and magnetic fields (EM field)
Fields travel and cut across an aerial
Electrons inside the aerial oscillate, producing electrical signals

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5
Q

Rank these waves in order of increasing wavelength:
X-Ray
UV
Visible
Gamma
Radio
Microwave
Infrared

A

Gamma
X-Ray
UV
Visible
Infrared
Microwave
Radio

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6
Q

What can light waves penetrate?

A

Air and glass
Stopped by solids

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7
Q

What are the uses of light waves?

A

To see
Cameras

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8
Q

What are the hazards of light waves?

A

None

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9
Q

What can infrared waves penetrate?

A

Pass through air and glass
Stopped by solids

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10
Q

What are the uses of infrared waves?

A

Night vision
Remote controls

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11
Q

What are the hazards of infrared waves?

A

Absorbed by skin, causing it to heat up

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12
Q

What can microwaves penetrate?

A

Air and earth’s atmosphere

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13
Q

What are the uses of microwaves?

A

Cooking food
Mobile phones
Satellite

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14
Q

What are the hazards of microwaves?

A

Can heat up water, so possible risk to humans

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15
Q

What can radio waves penetrate?

A

Air and solids

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16
Q

What are the uses of radio waves?

A

Radio and TV signals

17
Q

What are the hazards of radio waves?

A

None

18
Q

What can UV waves penetrate?

A

Moderately penetrates Earth’s atmosphere
Can’t penetrate skin

19
Q

What are the uses of UV waves?

A

Produces Vitamin D
Detects bodily fluids
Kills bacteria in water

20
Q

What are the hazards of UV waves?

A

Somewhat ionising - can damage skin cells, leading to skin cancer

21
Q

What can X-Ray waves penetrate?

A

Skin and thin metal
Stopped by bone and dense metals

22
Q

What are the uses of X-Ray waves?

A

X-Ray imaging
Treats some cancers

23
Q

What are the hazards of X-Ray waves?

A

Lightly ionising
Can damage cells, causing cancer

24
Q

What can gamma waves penetrate?

A

Most materials
Stopped by very thick lead

25
Q

What are the uses of gamma waves?

A

Treats cancer
Sterilises medical instruments

26
Q

What are the hazards of gamma waves?

A

Quite ionising
Can damage cells, causing cancer

GCSE Physics (10 decks)

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