Uses of Electromagnetic Waves

Different parts of the EM spectrum have different uses:

1. Radio waves - radio and television

2. Microwaves - satellite communications and cooking food
3. Infrared - Electrical heaters, cooking food and infrared cameras, remote controls
4. Visible light - Fibre optic communications
5. Ultraviolet - Energy efficient lamps, sun tanning
6. X-rays - Medical imaging and treatments
7. Gamma rays - Medical imaging and treatments

Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

The Earth’s atmosphere is a gaseous envelope, retained by gravity, surrounding the Earth.
About 78% of the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere are nitrogen, 21% are oxygen, 0.9 % are
argon, and 0.1 % are other gases. The remaining 0.1 per cent of gases includes trace amounts
of neon, water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, and methane.
The atmosphere is divided into regions characterized by their temperature. Each layer is called
a sphere and the boundary between layers is called a pause The boundary is named from the
lower layer. The layers are:
 Troposphere (0-10 km). This is the lowest and contains 80 % of the mass. Almost all
the weather is confined to the troposphere. We live in this layer, and this is where
weather happens (clouds, precipitation, etc.). The temperature falls linearly with height
until at the top of the troposphere the temperature is approximately –53oC.
 Stratosphere (10-50 km). Above the tropopause the temperature begins to rise again
until at about 50 km the temperature is about -3 oC. The upper part of the stratosphere
contains ozone – an essential molecule for life on Earth since it filters out (harmful) UV
radiation.
 Mesosphere (50-85 km). This is the middle layer of the atmosphere. Most meteors burn
up in this layer and this is the coldest region of the atmosphere. The temperature
decreases as you go higher in this layer. The temperature decreases up to -93oC.
 Ionosphere (100-200 km). This is an intensely ionized (convert (an atom, molecule, or
substance) into an ion or ions, typically by removing one or more electrons) region of the
atmosphere and the temperature rises rapidly. Solar UV ionizes the molecules of the
atmosphere
 Thermosphere (200-500 km). this layer is named for its temperature. This is the hottest
layer. It is where auroras are formed because of ionosphere’s charged particles.
Temperature rises rapidly and varies strongly with the time of day, degree of solar
activity and latitude (measures the distance north or south of the equator). Variation
between 400 0C and 2000 oC possible.
 Exosphere (500- about 1000 km). Temperature is very high. This is where satellite
travel. Atoms and molecules are sparse and can escape into space.
 Magnetosphere (above 1000 km). In this region the Earth’s magnetic field interacts with
the solar wind and traps charged particles (electrons and protons).
Residence Time
The residence time, is the mean lifetime of a gas molecule in the atmosphere. This is as
important as the concentration. Indeed, when considering pollutants, it is the most important
parameter. If τ is small, then the molecule (or atom) is in the atmosphere for only a short time.
Using the residence time as a measure, we can divide the constituents of the atmosphere into
three categories:

• Permanent: τ is very long (order of a few million years), e.g. N2, O2, CO2

• Semi-permanent: τ is of order months to years, e.g. CH4, N2O, CO, CFCs, and

• variable: τ is of order days to weeks, e.g. ozone O3 (cycle in the stratosphere), H2O (cycle in
the troposphere), SO2 and H2S (acid rain), NO2, NH3 (car exhausts) but also part of the nitrogen
cycle.

Photochemical pollution
Photochemical smog, also known as summer smog, is a type of smog that is produced when
UV light originating from the sun interacts with the oxides of nitrogen present in the atmosphere.
This type of smog usually manifests as a brown haze and is most commonly seen in highly
populated cities that are placed in relatively warm climates. Furthermore, photochemical smog
is most prominently visible during the mornings and afternoons.
Definition
Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities.
Types of Air Pollutants
A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted from a source directly into the atmosphere. The
source can be either a natural process such as sandstorms and volcanic eruptions or
anthropogenic (influenced by humans) such as industrial and vehicle emissions. The two major
primary pollutants, nitrogen oxides and VOCs
Secondary pollutants are pollutants which form in the atmosphere. These pollutants
are not emitted directly from a source (like vehicles or power plants). Instead, they form as a
result of the pollutants emitted from these sources reacting with molecules in the atmosphere to
form a new pollutant. Pollutants that are emitted into the environment from a source are
called primary pollutants. Photochemical smog is made up of various secondary pollutants
like ozone, peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs), and nitric acid.
Health effects of pollutants involved in photochemical smog

Pollutant Effect
Nitrogen oxides  can contribute to problems with heart and lungs
 links to decreased resistance to infection
Volatile organic compounds  eye irritation
(VOCs)  respiratory problems
 some compounds are carcinogens
Ozone  coughing and wheezing
 eye irritation
 respiratory problems (particularly for conditions such
 as asthma)
Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN)  eye irritation
 respiratory problems

How is smog formed?

Below is a simplified explanation of the chemistry of smog formation. Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) can be
broken down by sunlight to form nitric oxide (NO) and an oxygen radical (O):

1. NO2 + sunlight NO + O
Oxygen radicals can then react with atmospheric oxygen (O2) to form ozone (O3):
2. O + O2 O3
Ozone is consumed by nitric oxide to produce nitrogen dioxide and oxygen:
3. O3 + NO NO2 + O2
Harmful products, such as PAN, are produced by reactions of nitrogen dioxide with various
hydrocarbons (R), which are compounds made from carbon, hydrogen and other substances:
4. NO2 + R products such as PAN
The main source of these hydrocarbons is the VOCs. Similarly, oxygenated organic and inorganic
compounds (ROx) react with nitric oxide to produce more nitrogen oxides:
5. NO + ROx NO2 + other products