March 2, 2021

Electromagnetic Waves and their Uses

Objective: The Electromagnetic Spectrum is the distribution of electromagnetic radiation according to frequency or
wavelength. Therefore, visible light, gamma rays, and microwaves are really the same thing; they are all
electromagnetic radiation, they simply differ in their wavelengths. However, each section of the EM spectrum has a
different function in our society. Your objective is to determine the different uses of each wavelength in our society.
Use the resources provided or other reputable sites to complete this assignment.

Purpose: Identify and label the visible and invisible regions of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

Questions:

1. Label the parts of the EM spectrum.

A. gamma rays
B. x-rays
C. ultraviolet (UV)
D. visible light
E. infrared (IR
F. FM
G. microwave
H. AM
I. long radio waves

2. Complete the following chart. For each of the waves, you have identified give their wavelength and find one used
for radiation in that range.

Table: Different uses of Electromagnetic Waves

Type of Electromagnetic Size of Wavelength Uses

Wave

Gamma rays 0.01 nanometers Medicine & nuclear industry

X-rays 0.01 to 10 nanometers X-ray for mainly teeth &

bone at the doctors or
dentist

Ultraviolet (UV) 400 to 10 nanometers Killing bacteria

Visible light 380 to 700 nanometers CD’s, phones, tv’s & laser
pointers

Infrared (IR) 700 nanometers Electric heaters, cooking

stovetop, & remote controls

Microwaves 1 meter to 1 millimeter Technology

 Long radio waves 0.04 inches Air traffic control, radio
broadcasts, & television

3. What is a Photon? Is a small wave packet that can travel through space delivering its energy as radiation

4. Distinguish between a luminous and a non-luminous light source. Give 3 examples of each. Luminous is an object
that can emit light by its self, but non-luminous does the total opposite, its an object that can’t emit light by its self

Examples of luminous objects: sun, jellyfish, stars, light bulb & fireflies

Examples of non-luminous objects: moon, cars, dogs & keys

5. Complete the following table

Type of light production Definition Example

Incandescence A heated object that emits light Choral bits from a campfire that has an
orange-reddish glow or lighting wood on the fire

Electric discharge When a charge transfers to an object that Rubbing a balloon on straight hair, the friction
has an unequal charge to try to balance the between the balloon & hair creat static which makes
charge held between both of the objects the hair fibers stand up straight suspended in the air

phosphorescence When light remains to glow when radiation is Glow in the dark stickers, paint & t-shirts
removed

Fluorescence When light emission by a substance absorbs Shining UV black light on high lighters ink or
light but when the irritation ends the emission laundry powder
immediately stops because the wavelength is
longer than the absorbed radiation.

Chemiluminescence When a chemical reaction emits a glowing When you crack a glow stick in the dark
light

Bioluminescence When a living organism emits glowing light, Jellyfish glowing in the water to catch/attack
this light is produced by the living organism their prey
on its own

Triboluminescence The production of light by friction Like rubbing/hitting against 2 quartz rock
together in the dark creates a spark because of
the friction that is being caused. Also when you
chew on a lifesaver mint in the dark.