Topic 6 Dangers If Electromagnetic Waves - Flashcards
What are the effects of em waves based on
How much energy the wave transfers
What do low frequency waves do to the body
Pass through soft tissue without being absorbed
What do high frequency waves do to the body
Transfer lots of energy so can cause lots of damage
What can uv radiation do to the skin
Damages surface cells which can lead to sunburn and cause skin to age prematurely
What are some serious effects uv radiation
Blindness and an increased risk of skin cancer
What can X-ray and gamma rays do to the body
Cause genetic mutation or cell destruction and cause cancer
Why can X-rays and gamma rays cause cancer
Because they are ionising radiation
Carry enough energy to knock electrons of atoms
Causing gene mutation or cell destruction and cancer
What can you measure the risk using radiation doses in
Sieverts 
What is a radiation dose
A measure of the risk of harm from the body being exposed to radiation
 What is radiation dose not a measure of
Total amount of radiation that has been absorbed
What are Millie civets
1000 milli civets equals one civet
Where is a person more likely to suffer damage to their jeans
Four times more likely in the chest than the head
What does the risk depend on
The total amount of radiation absorbed and how harmful the type of radiation is
