STA. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION, INC.

Canlubang, Calamba City

SCIENCE 10 THIRD QUARTER

LEARNING MODULE 8
THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Name: Magsino, Leslie Anne D. Teacher: Maribel Zaide Delfin

INTRODUCTION

Are you aware of the existence of electromagnetic radiation? As you sit and read this module, you are
surrounded by electromagnetic waves you cannot see or hear: from your cell phone, television, computer, light
bulb and electric wires. We enjoy life in the modern world because of electromagnetic waves. But are they safe
or harmful to living things and the environment?

In this module, we will study about the nature of electromagnetic (EM) radiation and the different regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum: from the longest wavelengths (radio waves) to the shortest (gamma rays). Early
organisms on Earth developed eyes to see light waves because most of the other EM waves from space are
blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere. Hence, human eyes are capable of seeing just a very small portion (visible
light) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Most EM waves are invisible to us. We will also learn how different
forms of EM waves are now being used by scientists to discover more about our home planet Earth and even
outside the solar system.

Our learning objectives for this module are as follows:

 explain how electromagnetic waves are produced

 compare relative wavelengths of different forms of electromagnetic waves
 cite uses and applications of electromagnetic waves
 discuss effects of electromagnetic waves on living things and the environment.

Activity 1. EM 101 Day 1

As an introduction to electromagnetic radiation, watch the video clip below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwfJPc-rSXw&feature=emb_logo
Tour of the EMS 01 by ScienceAtNASA (5:03 minutes)
Exercise 1. (10 points)

Based on the video, answer the questions below.

1. What is electromagnetic (EM) radiation? Give the different forms of electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that is everywhere, it is on your computer's screen as you read
this, on televisions you watch, and many more because it is basically present in our daily lives yet we cannot
see, hear, taste, touch nor feel it. This radiation travels in a waveform at a constant speed. It is relevant
enough that if this electromagnetic radiation does not exist, the world could not be this efficient and
abundant. For instance, here are some of the various forms of electromagnetic waves: radio waves,
microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-rays.

2. Compare electromagnetic waves with ocean waves.

Although both electromagnetic and ocean waves are a form of energy, they are very much distinguishable
from one another. Ocean waves are the waves we can see, hear, and feel. It travels on the surface of the
water and we experience it once we are in the bodies of water. On the contrary, electromagnetic waves are
imperceptible and are composed of two properties: electrical and magnetic. They contradict ocean waves for
these waves do not require any medium to propagate. This insists that electromagnetic waves can travel not
only in air and solid materials but through the vacuum of space.
3. What is wave frequency? How is frequency related to energy of EM waves?
Electromagnetic waves are made of crest and trough. As these waves travel, there is frequency forming
which describes as the number of waves (crest) that pass in a given amount of time. Frequency is commonly
measured in hertz unit, in honor of Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, a German physicist who was the first one to prove
the existence of electromagnetic waves. Pursuing further, frequency is linked to the energy of EM waves
because long EM waves from radio waves contain the longest frequency and less energy. That being said,
the more energized frequencies, like on x-rays and gamma rays, have a shorter wavelength and the highest
energy in the spectrum. In summary, they are correlated because the energy of EM waves depends on how
long the wavelength is and how low a frequency is; for instance, the longer the wavelength and the lower the
frequency is, indicates lesser the energy of EM waves.

4. Give three (3) uses of EM waves in learning more about the world around us.
a. Through the help of numerous wavelengths from electromagnetic waves, brilliant scientists were able to
study and look further at all kinds of phenomena transpiring on Earth, from destructive erosions to startling
earthquakes and many more.

b. Electromagnetic waves enable us to understand the object's chemical composition and conclude its
physical properties like density and temperature this arises when astronomers researched the characteristic
patterns found within the spectra.

c. Using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite, we were able to perceive the Sun's
multiple wavelengths which qualify the bright scientists to examine and comprehend sunspots that are
attributed with solar flares and eruptions that are detrimental to astronauts, satellites and etc.
 Page 2

Activity 2. Nature of EM Waves Day 2

Electromagnetic (EM) waves are waves that can travel in any material and even in empty space. But how do
EM waves begin? An electromagnetic wave begins when electrons in an atom vibrate upon absorption of
energy. These vibrating electrons create electric and magnetic fields that combine to produce an
electromagnetic wave.

To learn more about the nature of EM waves, read your book Lesson 4.1, pp. 72-73 and the files Sci 10 EM1
(1091 KB), Sci 10 EM2 (1091 KB), Sci 10 wave (820 KB) and Sci 10 speed (971 KB).

Exercise 2A. (4 points)

Label the parts of a wave as indicated in the diagram below.

wavelength
1. _________________________
trough
2. _________________________
amplitude
3. _________________________
crest
4. _________________________

Exercise 2B. (7 points)

Label the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum as shown in the diagram.

a. radio wave
b. microwave
c. infrared
d. visible light
e. ultraviolet
f. x-ray
g. gamma ray
 Page 3

Activity 3. Wave Equation Day 3

All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed ( = 3 x 108 m/s) through a vacuum. Using the basic wave
equation, the wavelength () or frequency (f ) of an EM wave can be calculated if the other value is known.
 = f
Exercise 3. (15 points)

Solve the following problems using the wave equation. Show your solutions and indicate units of
measurement. Encircle your final answer.

1. Radio waves travel at a speed of 300,000,000 m/s. DZFM station broadcasts radio waves at a frequency of
101,700,000 Hertz. What is the wavelength of DZFM’s radio waves?

Given: speed (v) = 300,000,000 m/s –3 × 108 m/s frequency (f) = 101,700,000 Hertz – 1.017 ×10 8 Hz

Find: wavelength ()

v
Formula: =
f

3 ×10 8 m/ s . 1000
Solution: = 8 =
339 m or 2.949852507 m – 2.9 m
1.017 ×10 H z

2. Yellow light has a wavelength of 600 nanometers. What is its frequency in hertz?

Given: wavelength () = 600 nanometers – 6 × 10

−7 8
m speed (v) = 300,000,000 m/s – 3 × 10 m/s

Find: frequency (f)

v
Formula: f =
❑

3× 108 m/s
Solution: f = −7 = 5 × 1014 Hz
6 ×10 m

3. What is the frequency in hertz of blue light with wavelength of 425 nanometers?

Given: wavelength () = 425 nanometers – 4.25 × 10

−7 8
m speed (v) = 300,000,000 m/s – 3 × 10 m/s

Find: frequency (f)

Formula: f =
v
❑

3 × 108 m/ s
Solution: f = = −7 = 7.058823529 ×10 14 Hz – 7.1 ×10 14 Hz
4.25 ×10 m
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Activity 4. The Electromagnetic Spectrum Day 4

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum includes the entire range of electromagnetic waves from the shortest
wavelengths (gamma rays) to the longest (radio waves). Humans evolved vision for only just a small portion of
the EM spectrum, called visible light; the rest of the EM waves are invisible to us.

Read about the electromagnetic spectrum in your book Lesson 4.2, pp. 74-81; and in the files Sci 10
radio
(1008 KB), Sci 10 microw (925 KB), Sci 10 IR (981 KB), Sci 10 light (1206 KB), Sci 10 UV (1100 KB), Sci 10
Xray (978 KB) and Sci 10 gamma (1086 KB).

Exercise 4. (10 points)

Choose the correct answer.

1. Which is a TRUE statement about electromagnetic waves?

a. They transfer energy from one place to another.
b. They need a material medium to travel in space.
c. Their speed depends on their wavelength.
d. Both a and c

2. Which are all natural sources of electromagnetic waves?

a. cell phone, lightning, Sun c. stars, candle, black hole
b. Earth, supernova, fire d. b and c

3. Which of these electromagnetic waves has the lowest energy?

a. microwaves b. radio waves c. ultraviolet d. visible light

4. Which form of radiant energy can cause skin damage and eye defects?
a. infrared b. microwaves c. ultraviolet d. a and c

5. In order of increasing wavelength, which shows the correct order of electromagnetic waves?
a. radio wave, microwave, infrared c. microwave, radio, light
b. light, ultraviolet, X-ray d. infrared, microwave, radio wave

6. Which of these waves has higher energy and penetrating power than visible light?
a. microwave b. infrared c. X-ray d. b and c

7. Half of the electromagnetic radiation released by the Sun is _____.

a. infrared b. ultraviolet c. visible light d. X-ray

8. Which electromagnetic wave is used for cooking and wireless networks?

a. gamma b. microwave c. ultraviolet d. b and c

9. Which are practical applications of X-rays?

a. for examining bones and teeth c. for seeing in the dark
b. for analyzing composition of crystalline materials d. a and b

10. Which electromagnetic waves are harmful to living things including humans?
a. long wavelength and low frequency c. short wavelength and high frequency
b. medium wavelength and medium frequency d. none of the above
 Page 5
Activity 5. Effects of EM Radiation Day 5

EM radiation has proven to be beneficial to humans especially in this digital age. Some EM waves, however,
have very high-level energy that can damage living tissues including DNA. Learn more about the effects of
electromagnetic radiation in your book Lesson 4.3, pp. 82-84.

Exercise 5. (14 points)

Read the EM radiation article published in The Guardian in the file Sci 10 EM effects (488 KB). Answer the
following questions based on the article.

1. What is electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)? What are its symptoms?

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a clinical syndrome associated with electromagnetic radiation. It is
claimed to afflict individuals attributed to exposure to Electromagnetic frequency. EHS was pertained as
'microwave syndrome' way back. The first obvious cases of EHS were reported in Sweden in the late 1980s.
Albeit, EHS is still not being contemplated as a real medical diagnosis because there is an insufficiency in
concrete evidence to prove it. People who have trouble with EHS may experience headaches, body pain,
nausea, fatigue, burning sensation, heart arrhythmia, anxiety, and other generic pains.

2. What is ionizing radiation and why is it harmful to living things?

Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation containing a sufficiently excessive amount of energy to tear off
electrons from atoms. The most common types of this radiation are alpha, beta and gamma. Examples
include heat or light from the sun, microwaves, X rays and gamma rays from radioactive elements. Being
exposed in radiation can affect the cells in our body, once cell is affected, the following might occur: cell will
repair itself; cell became altered which can lead to cancer by damaging one's DNA; and cell might die, which
isn't a dilemma sometimes. Tremendous possibility of being impacted negatively by radiation may also
depend on the 'dose', whether what rate or how fast the dose is received by the body. If a high level of
radiation exposure delivered over a short period of time, it can cause symptoms such as nausea and
vomiting within hours and may lead to in death over time. And exposure to low-levels of radiation does not
cause immediate health effects, but can cause a small increase in the risk of cancer over a lifetime.

3. Based on the article, why is microwave radiation used in cooking and in cell phones not dangerous to
humans?
The things we used every day such as microwave for cooking, electronic gadgets and etc. are not menacing
in one's health. Studies have shown that these equipment contain radiation, nevertheless, it is not adequate
to mutilate the body's genetic material (DNA) and cause cancer. To elaborate more, microwaves use low
frequency electromagnetic radiation – the same kind used in lightbulbs and radios, which are contained
inside the microwave making it more harmless. Pursuing further, the smartphones we use and abuse
everyday does not cause any danger to our health too because they only emit low levels of non-ionizing
radiation; if non-ionizing radiation hits an atom, it isn’t going to be able to knock out an electron, so it can’t
damage cells, and it cannot cause cancer. The researchers even strengthen the fact by founding zero
health-concerning risks associated with mobile phones or other electronics that generate transmitted signals.

4. Which evidence showed that EM radiation is not the real cause of EHS?
The scientific community were able to prove that Electromagnetic radiation has nothing to do with the
insisted disease called Electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The evidence that provided them the leverage will
be the insufficiency of concrete and scientifically based proof from the other side. Those who believed in the
impairment of the individual due to EM radiation were not able to conduct any significant verification
supporting their position. During the clinical trials, few diseased people were only exposed to fake EM
sources, others weren't even capable of identifying when sources of EM radiation is present and all along,
the struggle they are experiencing is not entirely physical but it is more psychological. Whilst, the scientific
community are delivering fact-based evidences from expounding how EM spectrum works; what is ionizing
radiation and its effect, and how harmless are our everyday EM sources are. Their proofs are vigorously
factual that it written off the false accusations thrown to the EM radiation. All things considered,
electromagnetic radiation does not cause any disease named Electromagnetic hypersensitivity, studied and
consolidated by the brilliant minds of the world.
Activity 6. Synthesis Day 6

To assess your understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum, answer selected questions in your book as
indicated below.

Exercise 6. (25 points)

A. Multiple Choice. Answer numbers 1-15, pp. 87-89. (15 points)

1. b. They cannot travel in vacuum

2. b. The electric field and magnetic field are perpendicular to each other…
3. a. gamma rays
4. c. amplitude modulation
5. d. very high frequency
6. d. stimulated
7. d. red
8. c. sound waves
9. d. x-ray
10. a. PNRI
11. c. radio wave
12. d. x-ray
13. b. incandescence
14. c. speed in vacuum
15. a. brachythrerapy

BONUS: DO NOT ANSWER EXERCISE 6B. CRITICAL THINKING.

B. Critical Thinking. Answer numbers 4 and 6, p. 89. (10 points)