Electromagnetic spectrum

In Electromagnetic spectrum waves are orderly distributed according to their wavelength or frequency

Electromagnetic waves(source is hot object like sun star etc) are also known as Electromagnetic
radiation they are produce by acceleration or movement of electron and this generate electric current
and this produce electric and magnetic field.

• Wavelength Increases Gamma to Radio

• Frequency decreases Gamma to Radio

Properties of electromagnetic waves

• travel through a vacuum with the same high speed as light does 3 × 108 m/s (300 000
km/s) and is approximately the same in air.
• They exhibit reflection, refraction and diffraction and have a transverse wave nature.
• They obey the wave equation, v = fλ,
• They carry energy from one place to another and can be absorbed by matter to cause
heating and other effects. The higher the frequency and the smaller the wavelength of
the radiation, the greater is the energy carried.
• They are always transverse. The fields vary in value and are directed at right angles to
each other and to the direction of travel of the wave
Gama rays

Source

• Sun
• Decay of radioactive nuclei (Radioactive matter)
Uses

most penetrating and dangerous waves than X-rays.,

• both diagnose and treat cancer

• kill harmful bacteria in food and on surgical instruments.
• In medical diagnostics, a radioactive tracer (Topic 5.2.5) that emits gamma rays and is
preferentially absorbed by cancer cells is placed in a patient’s body.
• In radiotherapy used to treat cancer, high-energy beams of gamma rays are focused directly
onto a tumour in order to kill the cancerous cells.
• In engineering applications, gamma-ray photography is used to detect cracks and flaws in
metals.

Damages

X-rays and gamma rays also cause ionization of atoms in cells and cause damage to living tissues in the
body which can lead to cancer. X-ray and gamma ray machines are shielded by lead to reduce
unnecessary exposure.

X-rays

Source

Radioactive material

uses

• Used to detect fractures in bones

Ultraviolet radiation

Source

Sun and mercury lamp and lasers.

Uses

• produce vitamins in the skin.

• Causes fluorescent that’s why used in detergents to fluoresce.
• They glow by re-radiating as light the energy they absorb as UV. This effect may be used in
security marking to verify ‘invisible’ signatures on bank documents and to detect fake bank
notes.
• UV radiation used to sterilise water because its high enough energy to kill bacteria.
Damages

If absorbed in high doses it can cause skin cancer and eye damage including cataracts. Dark skin is able
to absorb more UV than lighter skin

Exposure to the harmful UV rays in sunlight can be reduced by wearing protective clothing such as a hat
or by using sunscreen lotion

Light

• Longest wavelength red 0.7 µm, violet light has the shortest wavelength 0.4 µm
• The amplitude of a light (or any other) wave is greater the higher the intensity of light, the
brighter it is.

Source

• Sun

Uses

• eyes to form images

• light used in photography
• Cameras and optical instruments from microscopes to telescopes,
• form images of near and distant objects.

Infrared radiation (.called ‘radiant heat’ or ‘heat radiation’)

Our bodies detect infrared radiation (IR) by its heating effect on the skin.

Source

• Hot object but not glowing, i.e. below 500°C, emits IR alone
• At about 500°C a body becomes red hot and emits red light as well as IR –
• the heating element of an electric fire, a toaster or an electric grill are examples.
• At about 1500°C, things such as lamp filaments are white hot and radiate IR and white light, i.e.
all the colours of the visible spectrum.

Uses

• Infrared is also used in thermal imaging cameras, which show hot spots and allow images to be
taken in the dark.
• Infrared sensors are used on satellites and aircraft for weather forecasting, monitoring of land
use, and locating victims of earthquakes.
• In intruder alarm that activates when its sensor detects the infrared radiation emitted by a
nearby moving body. An alternative type when the path of the IR is broken by an intruder, an
alarm is activated.
 • The remote control(short range communication) for an electronic device contains a small
infrared transmitter to send signals to the device, such as a television or DVD player.
• Infrared is also used to carry data in long range optical fibre communication systems
•
Disadvantages
• transfers thermal energy, so when of high intensity can cause burns to the skin

Microwaves

Source

Microwave oven

Stars, including the Sun, are natural microwave sources

Uses

• In international telecommunications and direct broadcast satellite television

• for mobile phone networks via microwave aerial towers and low-orbit satellites.
• also used in wireless applications, such as Bluetooth for short-range communication
• Microwaves can be used for cooking in a microwave oven since they cause water molecules in
food to vibrate vigorously at the frequency of the microwaves.

Damages

Microwaves produce heating of soft tissue in the body when they are absorbed by the water in
living cells. This can damage or kill the cells.

May their use in mobile phones is harmful; ‘hands-free’ mode, where separate earphones are used,
may be safer

Radio waves

Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Source
Radio noise produced by lightning and other natural processes in the Earth's atmosphere, and
astronomical radio sources in space such as the Sun, galaxies and nebulas
Uses
• Radiated from aerials and used to carry sound, pictures and other information over long
distances. short waves (wavelengths of 2km to 10m)
• Diffract round obstacles so can be received even when hills are in their way. They are also
reflected by upper atmosphere (the ionosphere), which makes long-distance

VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra high frequency) waves (wavelengths of 10m to 10cm)
These shorter wavelength radio waves are not reflected so they need a clear, straight-line path.
They are used for local radio and for television transmissions.
• Astronomers use radio telescopes to pick up radio signals from stars and galaxies to gain
information about the Universe.