Y10

Science
Quarter 2
Self Learning Module 3
Effects of Electromagnetic
Radiation

1
Science - Grade 10
Quarter 2
Self Learning Module 3 – Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation
Second Edition, 2021

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any
work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such
work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition
the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Schools Division Superintendent: Gladys Amylaine D. Sales CESO VI
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Peter J. Galimba PhD

Development Team of the Self Learning Module

Writers: Ruth E. Batiancila, Lyn Nicole M. Chua, and

Michael John O. Marabillo
Editor: June Nathan M. Fernandez and Ladylyn P. Sabla-on
Reviewer: Edna Rose P. Gueco
Illustrator: Edna Rose P. Gueco
Layout Artist: Ruth E. Batiancila
Management Team: Janalyn B. Navarro
Edna Rose P. Gueco
Ellen G. Dela Cruz

Printed in the Philippines by

Department of Education – Region VI – Division of Bacolod City

Office Address: Rosario-San Juan Sts., Bacolod City 6100

Telefax: (034) 704-2585
E-mail Address: bacolod.city@deped.gov.ph

2
 I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you explain
the effects of EM radiation on living things and the environment (SF10FE-IIe-f-49). The
scope of this module allows you to use it in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow
the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed
to correspond with the textbook you are now using. This module will discuss lesson on Effects
of Electromagnetic Radiation.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the uses of electromagnetic radiation on humans and

environment;
2. explain the effects of EM radiation on living things and the environment;
and
3. compare ionizing radiation from non-ionizing radiation.

Effects of Electromagnetic
Lesson
Radiation

Lesson Overview

Electromagnetic Radiations (EMR), known well as Electromagnetic Waves (EM

waves), a form of energy which travel through empty space as well as through air and other
substances at the speed of light. EMR or EM waves are produced and radiated by moving
electrically charged particles. It cooks our food, enters our eyes, bathes our skin and heats
us, penetrates our bodies, threatens our cells, provides plants with the energy to conduct
photosynthesis. Some forms of EMR are relatively easy to keep under control and some forms
are hard to control and can be very dangerous to human beings.
Whenever you turn on a computer, a cellphone, a Wi-Fi, a stove, a radio, a television,
a microwave oven; light a match; get an x-ray for a broken leg, have a CAT-scan; run a nuclear
power plant and cellphone tower, explode a hydrogen bomb, focus a laser beam, you allow
electromagnetic radiations to be present everywhere.
EM radiations is considered a friend or useful, if it is being used by your TV to present
glowing images on a screen, or being used to pop popcorn in that bag in the microwave. At
night, friendly electromagnetic radiation is in the lightbulb at the ceiling of your house. EM
radiations is dangerous or enemy, if it is in the form of X-Rays, Gamma Rays, or even
"Galactic Cosmic Rays" which can penetrate and destroy the cells of your body and create
cancers.
3
 Here are some of the common effects of radiation we experience in our daily lives:

Table 1. Common Effects of Radiation

EM
Illustration Effects
Radiation
RF radiation has lower energy
than some other types of non-
ionizing radiation, like visible
light and infrared, but it has
higher energy than extremely
Radiowave
low-frequency (ELF) radiation. If
Radiation
Radio Frequency radiation is
absorbed by the body in large
enough amounts, it can produce
heat. This can lead to burns
and body tissue damage.
Prolonged IR exposure can lead
to:
*adding to premature skin aging;
*lens, cornea and retina
damage, including cataracts,
corneal ulcers and retinal
Infrared burns, respectively;
radiation *worsen melasma and other skin
pigmentation concerns;
*warming of surroundings

Protection: Workers can wear

products with IR filters or
reflective coatings.
Cellphone radiation and health
concerns have been raised:
- Cancer
- Sleep disorder
- Increased accident-risk
- Heart problems (increase
Microwave heart rate, increase blood
radiation pressure)
from - Infertility
Cellphones - Hearing Impairment
- Eye problems (dry eyes,
irritation, reddening)
- Skin allergies
- Stress
- Infections
- Fatigue

4
 -can damage collagen fibers
which results in the speeding up
Ultraviolet of skin aging;
(UV) -DNA damage and possibly
radiation develop skin cancer;
*UVA -can damage eyes
*UVB -exposure can cause welder’s
flash that may lead to cataracts
and other medical issues

X-rays are used significantly in

medicine, prolonged exposure to
X-rays
X- rays can lead to cell damage
and cancer.

Gamma-rays are not stopped by

the skin, it can induce DNA
alteration by interfering with
the genetic material of the cell.
Gamma- DNA double- strand breaks are
rays generally accepted to be the
most biologically significant
lesion by which ionizing radiation
causes cancer and hereditary
disease.

5
Types of Electromagnetic Radiation
EMR has two types: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation that can both cause significant
health hazards (biological effects) on humans, animals and plants and environment.
Ionizing radiation is the radiation consisted of subatomic particles or electromagnetic
waves (short wavelength, high frequency) that have enough energy to break chemical bonds
or remove the electrons from atoms and molecules rendering it into an “ionized” state. Ionizing
activity can alter molecules within the cells of our body that may lead to ill health (such as
having cancer). Examples of ionizing radiation are Alpha and Beta particles, neutrons,
ultraviolet rays from the sun, X and Gamma rays.
Non-ionizing radiation (Electro smog) is the everyday term for technologically
induced electrical magnetic or electromagnetic fields (longer wavelengths/ lower frequency).
It has less energy than ionizing radiation thus cannot remove electrons from atoms or break
chemical bonds in the cellular level. However, although it does not have enough energy to
cause changes to the cells it can have less obvious effects to health. It applies on those wave-
like fields (waves from wireless phones, computers and all kinds of computer equipment,
voltage cables, home devices, satellite radiations, etc.) that can bring about symptoms such
as: fatigue, headaches, fertility issues, digestive issues, etc.
Table 2. Types of Electromagnetic Radiation and Their Health Effects

Short Term and Long-Term Effects of Radiation

Short Term Effects of Radiation
The electromagnetic fields induce
electric fields and current through the
body, which under the big field intensity
cause nerves and muscle stimulation
and change in nerve cells sensitivity in
the central nervous system
6
Long Term Effects of Radiation
With everyday exposure to the EM fields
in combination with large number of other
bad influences, the risk of chronic
diseases is increasing (child and adult
cancers, depression, cardiovascular
diseases, reproduction dysfunctions,
dysfunction in growth, and mental
problems.
 I Will Do This
Activity 1: Electromagnetic Radiation
Direction: Complete the table below by supplying the source, name, and effects of
Electromagnetic Radiation to humans and environment. The first one is done for you.
Source of Name of
Electromagnetic Electromagnetic Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation
Radiation Radiation
1. Sun Ultra-violet Overexposure can cause skin cancer to humans.

2.

3.

4.

5.

I Will Practice
Identify whether the electromagnetic wave described is correct or not. Write
on the circles TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if not.
1. EMR causes significant health 4. Cellphone radiation health
hazards (biological effects) on concerns have been raised,
humans, animals and plants especially following the
and environment. enormous increase in their use.

2. X-Rays can cause serious

5. Sunburn is not an effect of
health problems even if only
electromagnetic radiation.
exposed to once.

6. Radiation emitted from

3. Short-term exposure to very
high levels of electromagnetic
fields is not harmful to health.
cellphones, cellphone towers,
Wi-Fi, televisions, microwave
ovens, etc. are called (EMR).

7
 I Will Apply

Analyze the illustration about the “Waves Town” below. Color the illustration and answer the
Analysis Question that follows. This activity will also serve as your Performance Task.
Scoring Guide: 10 points for the artwork and 10 points for the explanation.

“Waves Town”

Analysis Question:
“What are the different Electromagnetic Waves shown in the “Waves Town” and what are
their effects to humans and the environment?”
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Rubric for Scoring the Explanation:
Insightful (10) Thorough (9) Basic (8) Minimal (7) Insufficient (6)
Insightful and Thorough Credible Minimal There is a
well-crafted response with response with response response, but it
response that correct limited reflects some reflects
extends beyond scientific scientific understanding negligible
the obvious or concepts. concepts of the scientific understanding of
expected and discussed. concepts but the scientific
includes complete lacks concepts about
and correct elaboration and the product.
scientific support.
concepts.
8
 Answer Key

I Will Do This
Activity 1: Electromagnetic Radiation

I Will Practice I Will Apply

1. TRUE Analysis Question: (Answers may vary)
• X-Ray can cause cell damage and cancer.
2. FALSE • Overexposure to televisions can cause cataract and other eye
3. FALSE related diseases.
• Towers that emit radio waves can lead to burns and body
4. TRUE tissue damage if absorbed by the body in large amounts.
• Artificial Tanning Machine emits Ultra-violet radiation that
5. FLASE
may damage collagen fibers which results in the speeding up
6. TRUE of skin aging.

References
Google
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EM_Spectrum_Properties_edit.svg
(Accessed Date: November 2, 2021)

http://labman.phys.utk.edu/phys222core/modules/m6/production_of_em_waves.html
(Accessed Date: November 2, 2021)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BW_EM_spectrum.png (Accessed Date:

November 2, 2021)

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/the-electromagnetic
(Accessed Date: November 2, 2021)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EM_Spectrum3-new.jpg (Accessed Date:

November 2, 2021)

https://science.jrank.org/pages/5676/Radio-Waves-Transmission-radio-waves.html
(Accessed Date: November 2, 2021)
9
 Written Assessment Worksheet No. 3
Name: _______________________________ Grade & Section: ___________

Concept Check
MELC: Explain the effects of EM radiation on living things and the environment
(SF10FE-IIe-f-49)

Part I. Read each item carefully. Select the letter of the best answer.

1. What electromagnetic wave is used significantly on medicine, but its prolonged

exposure could lead to cancer?
A. gamma ray B. microwave C. visible light D. x-ray

2. What is the reason why each type of radiation has different effects on people?
A. difference in physical properties C. difference in frequency and energy
B. difference in speed it travels D. all radiations have same effects

3. Is a form of energy that is all around us and takes many forms?

A. X-ray B. CT Scan C. CPR D. EMR

4. Which of the following are long term effects of radiation?

A. lightheadedness C. nerve stimulation
B. nausea D. depression

5. What should humans do to avoid the harmful effects of EM radiation?

A. reduce the time of exposure
B. being aware of the different effects of EM radiation
C. educate friends and families about the effects of EM radiation
D. all of the above

Part II. Explain the effects of the following EM radiation on living things and the
environment by completing the table below.
EM Radiations Possible Effects
1. Ultraviolet
2. X-Ray
3. Gamma Ray
4. Microwave
5. Infrared Radiation

Reflection Question:
What everyday life situations can you apply your knowledge about the effects of
radiation to living things and the environment?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

10
 FOR TEACHER’S USE ONLY. Do not attach this portion to the SLM for students.

Part I. Multiple Choice

1. D
2. C
3. D
4. D
5. D

Part II.
1. Ultraviolet – It can cause skin ageing, DNA damage and possibly skin cancer.
2. X-ray – Prolonged exposure to X-Ray can cause cell damage and cancer.
3. Gamma Ray – It can induce DNA alteration, cancer, and hereditary diseases.
4. Microwave – It can cause birth defects and genetic damage.
5. Infrared Radiation – Overexposure to this radiation can lead to cataract.

Reflection Question
Knowing the effects of electromagnetic radiation to living organisms and
the environment, I will avoid long exposure to technologies that emit radiation
such as cell phones, computers and avoid staying under the sun for a long time.
I may use umbrella, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotions when I will be under the
sun for a long time.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SDO-Bacolod City

(Office Address): Rosario-San Juan Sts., Brgy. 14, 6100, Bacolod City

Telefax:

Email Address: bacolod.city@deped.gov.ph

11