Electromagnetic spectrum

:- a wide range of electromagnetic transverse waves.

Properties used in forming the spectrum

- Wavelength
- Frequency

Properties of electromagnetic spectrum(similar characteristics)

-they are all examples of transverse waves
-they can transfer energy from one to another
-they can all be reflected and refracted
-they all obey the wave equation , v = fλ
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-they can all travel in vacuum at the same speed , c = v = 3 x 10 m/s.
-the higher the frequency , the shorter the wavelength

Components of Electromagnetic spectrum (e.m waves)

Gamma rays
Wavelength increases
Frequency increases

X – rays
Ultraviolet
Visible light
Infrared
Micro waves
TV waves
Radio waves

TV and radio waves make up a group called Radio waves

Sources , detectors , uses and side effects of components of electromagnetic spectrum

a) GAMMA RAYS

Source: radioactive materials or substances e.g. cobalt-60 , uranium-238 , Iodine -131 , carbon-14 etc
Detectors: photographic film, cloud chamber, Geiger Muller tube , gold leaf eclectorscope
Uses: -used in radiotherapy to treat cancer and destroy tumours inside the body
-used to find flaws in metals and welded joints
-used to sterilize medical equipment & dressings
- used to irradiate food and containers to kill germs in them
-as tracers to trace movement of mineral salts in plants and drugs in a person’s body.
-to control population of pests
Sideeffects: - harmful to humans in excess; damage body living cells and tissues
-cause mutation
- cancer
-can cause radiation burn and sickness
-sterilise body living cells and tissues

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X –ray
Source: x-ray tube or machine
Detectors: special photographic film, fluorescent substances , gold leaf electroscope
Uses: -used to take x-ray pictures ; pictures of cracked bones and teeth
- X – ray crystallography
-luggage scanning at airports and boarder gates
- treat skin disorders.
Side efffects:
- long time exposure to X rays can causes cancer.
-can cause cell sterilization

ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
Sources: - sun , very hot objects , ultra violet lamps , mercury vapour lamps , disco lights(U.V is the sun
rays that gives suntan)
Detectors: photographic film, fluorescent chemicals, fluorescent photocells
Uses: -kills bacteria in theater rooms , butchery , restaurants
-produce vitamin D and melanin in the skin
-used to detect forged bank notes , cheque and academic documents.
-to detect stolen goods by police officers.
-to form finger prints of a person who last touched the surfaces.
-to sterilize hair cutting machines in hair saloons
Side effects: -causes sunburn and suntan, skin cancer if in excess ,harmful to eyes , suntan
,causes chemicals to fluorescence/glow

VISIBLE LIGHT
Sources: -sun, lamps , flash lights , light emitting diode(LED)
-occupies a small part of the spectrum but is the only component that can be detected by human eyes.
Detectors: eye, photographic film, photocells(LDR) ,green plants
Uses: - to form images of objects around people ; for seeing
-used for photography
-useful in some chemical reactions, e.g. photosynthesis
-to operate some electrical circuits
-to transmit information signals in a form of light in optical fibre
Side effects: too much may destroy photographic film.

INFRARED
Sources: sun, hot objects , heaters, grills, oven , remote control unit , human body,infrared toaster , air
conditioner
Detectors: special photographic film, phototransistor, thermometer, thermopile ,infrared sensor
Uses: - used for heating , warming up air and cooking
- used for photography through haze and fog and in dark
- used in remote control to operate TV , VCR , DVD and radio sets
- night vision
- detecting warm and cool skin and tracing infection
-in computer mouse pads and monitor

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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NB: visible light occupies a small part of the spectrum but is the only component that can be detected by
human eyes.
MICRO WAVES(type 1)
Sources ; mobile phone ,satellite , micro wave transmitters or towers , radar transmitter
Detectors: mobile phone , satellite ,microwave receiver ,radar receiver
Uses
-for mobile phone communication
-transmission of information between satellite and ground station
-air traffic control ;in RADAR to find the position of aeroplanes
-communication with spacecraft
-GPS ; Global Positioning System
Side effects

MICRO WAVE(type 2)
Source: micro wave oven
Detector: wet food substances
Uses
-for rapid cooking
Side effects

TV wave
Source: TV transmitters
Detection: TV receiver and set , LNB and satellite dish , TV aerial
Uses
-to transmit TV programme from TV station to receiver or TV broadcasting.
No side effects

RADIO wave
Source: radio transmitter , resonated electrical circuits , RADAR transmitter
Detector:radio receiver , RADAR receiver , radio set and aerial
Uses
-communication between a pilot and aircraft controller
-marine navigation
-remote controlled toys
-transmit radio programme( local commercial radio transmission) from radio station to receiver.
-in walkie-tolkies
No side effects

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142
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Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142
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