10

Science
Quarter 2 - Module 3: Week 3
Practical Applications of
Electromagnetic (EM) Waves
Part 1

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Science - Grade 10
Quarter 2 - Module 3: Week 3 Practical Applications of EM Waves Part 1
Second Edition, Revised 2021

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 Lesson
Practical Applications of EM
1 Waves – Part 1

What I Need to Know

Hello students. In the previous module, you learned about the different regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum. You also learned about the relative wavelengths of different forms
of electromagnetic waves.

In this module, you will learn about the practical applications of the different regions of
electromagnetic (EM) waves.

Have you ever wondered how your favorite song can be heard on the radio when it’s
played in a radio station that’s kilometers away?

Have you ever asked how quickly food can be reheated in a microwave oven?

What enables you to turn on your TV by just pressing the remote-control button?

In this module, we will find out the answers to these questions as we learn the practical
applications of the different regions of electromagnetic waves. Every part of the
electromagnetic spectrum has multiple applications in our everyday lives, and many of those
applications involve technology.

What I Know

Let’s see what you know so far about the topic. Answer the questions that follow.
On a separate sheet of paper, write the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following forms of magnetic waves is commonly used in radio

communication?

A. Gamma rays C. Radio waves

B. Infrared D. X-rays
2. Which of the following energy transformations occur at the receiving station of radio
transmitters?
A. Sound energy to electrical energy
B. Electromagnetic energy to sound energy
C. Electrical energy to electromagnetic energy
D. Electromagnetic energy to electrical energy

3. What type of radio waves are used to broadcast FM stations?

A. Low Frequency C. Very High Frequency
B. Medium Frequency D. Extremely High Frequency

4. Satellite communication is an application of what type of wave?

A. Infrared C. Radio wave
B. Microwave D. X-ray

5. What electromagnetic wave is produced by making electrons vibrate in an antenna?

A. Infrared C. Radio wave
B. Microwave D. X-ray

6. Which two waves lie at the ends of the visible spectrum?

A. Infrared and ultraviolet rays
B. Radio waves and microwaves
C. Radio waves and X-rays
D. X-rays and gamma rays

7. In the visible spectrum, which color has the longest wavelength?

A. Blue C. Red
B. Green D. Violet

8. What type of electromagnetic wave is used in cooking and heating food?

A. Infrared rays C. Radio waves
B. Visible light D. Microwaves

9. What type of electromagnetic waves is used in radar?

A. Infrared rays C. Radio waves
B. Microwaves D. Ultraviolet rays

10. What type of electromagnetic waves is used in camera auto-focusing?

A. Infrared rays C. Radio waves
B. Microwaves D. Ultraviolet rays
 What’s In

In the previous lesson, you learned about the different wavelengths of the different
regions of the EM spectrum. Can you recall what these are?

Label all the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum according to wavelength. Start
with the longest wavelength. Label the trend lines as well (whether it decreases or increases).

What’s New

We are surrounded with thousands of waves. Waves collide with our bodies and some
pass through us. Most of these waves are invisible but we can perceive some. The warmth
of the sun and light that we see are just a few of them. These waves share similar
characteristics, yet they are unique in some ways. These waves are called electromagnetic
(EM) waves.
 Electromagnetic (EM) waves are different from mechanical waves in some important
ways. EM waves are a disturbance that transfers energy through a field. They can travel
through medium, but they can also transmit through empty space.

What is It

The diagram below shows the different waves in the Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum.
These are arranged from low frequencies to high frequencies. There are many applications
and uses of the different regions of the EM waves.

Figure 1. Electromagnetic Spectrum

www.nationalgeographic.org

APPLICATIONS OF RADIO WAVES

Radio Communication
Today, conversations, data and even music can be transmitted through air over
thousands of kilometers because of radio waves. Wireless communication has become
possible through transmission and reception of these radio waves. Remember, radio waves
can be transmitted through empty space!

Radio waves have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are
produced by making electrons vibrate in an antenna. They are used to transmit sound and
picture information over long distances.

Low frequency waves are suitable for communication over great distances. But the
curvature of the earth limits the range to about 80 km. To extend the range, a repeater is
used. The repeater receives the signal and re-transmits it to the receiving station. High
frequency waves can be reflected by the ionosphere. This enables the waves to be
transmitted over great distances.

Medium and high frequency waves are used for broadcasting by local radio stations.
In a radio station, sound is converted by a microphone into patterns of electric current
variations called audio-frequency (AF) signals. High frequency radio waves called radio-
frequency (RF) carriers can be modulated to match the electronic signal. In amplitude
modulation (AM), the amplitude of the radio waves (RF carrier) changes to match that of the
audio-frequency (AF) signal. This is used in standard broadcasting because it can be sent
over long distances. Very high frequency waves provide higher quality broadcasting including
stereo sound. In this process, instead of the amplitude of the RF carrier, it is the frequency of
the waves that changes to match that of the signal. This is called frequency modulation (FM).
When the radio wave is received by the antenna of a radio or television, the pattern is
converted back to its original form. The sound portions of most television broadcasts are
carried as AM waves while the picture portions are carried as FM waves, transmitted over long
distances.

Radio waves have a very wide range of wavelengths. The whole region of the radio
waves is divided into smaller regions of wavebands. Each waveband is allocated by law to a
specific radio service. Refer to the table below for further information.
 APPLICATIONS OF MICROWAVES

Satellite Communication
Microwaves have shorter wavelengths than radio waves. They are used in satellite
communications, radar, television transmission and cooking. We know for a fact that radio
waves travel in a straight line. Why then are we able to receive messages or information from
other parts of the world?

Microwaves can penetrate the atmosphere of the earth. These high frequency waves
penetrate into the ionosphere and to space. That’s why they are used for satellite
communications. These communication satellites are used to reflect these waves back to
earth which are then captured by the receiving antennas. Communication satellites travel
around the earth at an altitude of 35, 000 km above the equator. They move at a speed of
11,300 km/h and revolve around the earth every 24 hours, the same rate as the rotation of the
earth. This makes them appear stationary when seen on Earth. Antennae are mounted to
point in fixed directions towards these satellites.

Microwave signals are transmitted by an antenna to a satellite which amplifies and re-
transmits the signal to an antenna in other parts of the world. This is how we communicate
with the rest of the world.

Most communication satellites are used to send and receive radio signals for telephone
services while the rest are for television broadcasting, scientific research and weather
forecast.

Figure 2. An orbiting satellite

Source: European Space Agency

Radar
Microwaves have short wavelengths and are reflected by small objects. This property
is used in radars. Radar is an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging. A radar system
consists of an antenna, transmitter, and a receiver. The antenna whirls around continuously
to scan the surrounding area. The transmitter sends out a narrow beam of microwaves in
short pulses. A distant object reflects some of the signal back to the receiver. The direction
to which the signal was received gives the direction of the object. The distance of the object
can be calculated from the time lag between the transmitted pulse and the reflected pulse.

Terrestrial Communication
Do you notice that a lot of people now resort to Cable TV for news, entertainment and
educational programs? CATV or cable TV is now used because of its wide range of channels
and clearer sound and picture. Moreover, some cable companies provide internet access to
users. How does this CATV work?

Microwaves are used to transmit television news coverage from mobile broadcast
vehicles back to the station. The news crew can also set up a small antenna to send signals
to a communication satellite. This is how news are broadcasted and watched live around the
world.

A cell phone is a radio transmitter and receiver that uses microwaves. It is today’s
answer to the emerging demand for mobile communication. Cellular phones depend on
overlapping network of cells or areas of land several kilometers in diameter. Each cell has its
tower that receives and sends microwave signals.

Microwave Oven
In a microwave oven, foods absorb certain microwave frequencies very strongly. The
microwaves penetrate the food being heated. It will agitate the water molecules within the
food, thus creating molecular friction which then produces heat that will cook it.

Figure 3. A microwave oven

www.thespruce.com
 APPLICATION OF INFRARED WAVES
Activity on Infrared Waves
(Source: www.exploratorium.edu)

Investigate the application and use of infrared electromagnetic radiation by using your
television remote control.

Materials needed:
• Television and its infrared remote control (some have a small lightbulb at the end of
the remote and some have this part covered)
• plastic trash bag
• Mirror

1. Use the infrared remote control to turn the television on and off. How far to the side of
the television can you point the remote control and still have it work?

2. Try to change channels on the television while pointing the remote control through a
single layer of material from a plastic trash bag. Did it work?

3. Try the same thing through two or more layers of plastic.

4. Position the mirror at an angle with which it could reflect the waves from the remote
control to the TV.

5. Turn the TV on and off by aiming the remote control at the mirror. How did you position
the remote control in order to turn the TV on and off?

This activity illustrated the characteristics and corresponding application of infrared

waves. You were able to turn your TV on and off through the use of infrared waves in your
TV remote control. There are many other applications of infrared waves.

INFRARED WAVES - The Invisible Heat

Infrared waves are in the lower-middle range of frequencies in the EM spectrum.
Infrared radiation lies beyond the red end of the visible light. The size of infrared waves ranges
from a few millimeters down to microscopic lengths. The longer-wavelength infrared waves
produce heat and include radiation emitted by fire, the sun and other heat-producing objects.
Shorter-wavelength infrared rays do not produce much heat and are used in remote controls
and imaging technologies. The amount and wavelength of radiation depend on temperature.
Below 5000C, an object emits only infrared radiation. Above 5000C, an object glows and emits
both infrared and visible light. The differences in color determine the differences in
temperature. For example, shades of blue and green indicate regions of colder temperature;
and red and yellow indicate warmer temperature.

The human eye is not sensitive to the infrared light used by television remote controls.
To send a signal to a television, remote controls often use a diode that emits light. Some
digital cameras have filters to block near-infrared light, but most can detect it. When you view
infrared waves using a camera, it shows up on the screen as if it were visible light. When you
press a button on the remote control, the camera may show a pulsing light emitted by the
remote.

The following are some useful applications of Infrared radiation:

1. Infrared photographs taken from a satellite with special films provide useful details of the
vegetation on the Earth’s surface.
2. Infrared temperature scanners are used to show the temperature variation of the body.
This can be used for medical diagnosis.
3. Infrared remote controls are used in TV’s, video, cassette recorders, and other electronic
appliances.
4. Infrared camera has a transmitter that sends out infrared pulses.
5. Some night-vision goggles use IR.

What I Have Learned

The regions in the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum have various uses and applications. The
table below shows the application and uses of radio waves, microwaves, and infrared
waves.

EM Wave Applications / Uses

Radio and television communication

Radio waves
Satellite television and communication,
Microwaves
Cooking
Remote control,
Infrared waves
Household electrical appliances
 Assessment

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, write the letter that corresponds to the
correct answer.

1. What is a disturbance in a field that carries energy and does not require a
medium to travel?
A. Sound waves
B. Seismic waves
C. Mechanical waves
D. Electromagnetic waves

2. Which of the following forms of electromagnetic waves is used mostly in

communication?
A. Gamma Rays C. Radio waves
B. Infrared D. X-rays

3. What type of electromagnetic wave is produced when electrons vibrate in an

antenna?
A. Infrared C. Radio wave
B. Microwave D. X-ray

4. Which of the following energy transformations occurs at the receiving station of

radio transmitters?
A. Sound energy to electrical energy
B. Electromagnetic energy to sound energy
C. Electrical energy to electromagnetic energy
D. Electromagnetic energy to electrical energy

5. Which type of radio waves is used to broadcast AM stations?

A. Low frequency
B. Medium Frequency
C. Very High Frequency
D. Extremely High Frequency

6. What type of EM wave is used in satellite communications?

A. Infrared C. Radio waves
B. Microwaves D. X-rays

7. Which EM waves have the longest wavelength compared to the other types of
EM waves?
A. Radio waves
B. Microwave
C. Infrared
D. Visible light
 8. These are some of the applications of infrared radiation EXCEPT
A. Night vision goggles
B. Heat and cook food
C. Remote controls used in TV’s, video, cassette recorders
D. Infrared photographs taken from a satellite provide useful details of
vegetation on earth

9. Radio waves have the following characteristics EXCEPT:

A. Not line of sight
B. Can pass through walls
C. Not light sensitive
D. Short range

10. Applications of microwaves include the following EXCEPT:

A. Radar
B. Computers
C. TV Transmission
D. Satellite communications

Directions: Fill in the table below by stating the applications and uses of these EM waves.

EM Waves Applications / Uses

Radio waves

Microwaves

Infrared waves