Electromagnetic waves are produced when charged particles accelerate, creating
changing electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space.
The seven types of electromagnetic waves, arranged from lowest to highest frequency, are:
1. Radio waves
2. Microwaves
3. Infrared
4. Visible light
5. Ultraviolet
6. X-rays
7. Gamma rays
This order also corresponds to the increasing energy of the waves.
In terms of wavelength, the seven types of electromagnetic waves are arranged from longest to
shortest wavelength as follows:
1. Radio waves (longest wavelength)
2. Microwaves
3. Infrared
4. Visible light
5. Ultraviolet
6. X-rays
7. Gamma rays (shortest wavelength)
As the wavelength decreases, the frequency and energy of the waves increase.
The relationship between frequency, wavelength, and energy is as follows:
Higher frequency → shorter wavelength → higher energy.
Lower frequency → longer wavelength → lower energy.
Example:
A radio wave has a frequency of 4 × 10⁴ Hz, while a gamma ray has a frequency of 2 ×
10¹⁹ Hz. Which of the following best compares the wavelength and energy of these two waves?
A. The radio wave has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than the gamma ray.
B. The radio wave has a longer wavelength and lower energy than the gamma ray.
An electromagnetic wave travels through a vacuum at a speed of 2.00×106 m/s. The
wave has a frequency of 4.00×1012 Hz. What is the wavelength?
Formula: wavelength = speed / frequency
Solution: wavelength = 2.00×106 m/s / 4.00×1012 Hz
Wavelength = 5.00×10-7 m
Other formulas:
Speed= wavelength x frequency
Frequency= speed / wavelength
Application of electromagnetic waves
1. Radio waves – radio, TV, GPS, MRI
2. Microwaves – microwave oven, wireless telecommunication (Wifi, Bluetooth, sending
test messages)
3. Infrared waves – thermal scanner, remote control, wireless optical mouse, night vision
googles
4. Visible light – screens of digital devices, microscope, for continuous process of
photosynthesis
5. Ultraviolet waves – helps in the synthesis of vitamin D3, security markings, water
treatment facility, sterilization of laboratory tools and medical facilities
6. X-rays – X-ray machines used for detecting diseases
7. Gamma Rays – radiotherapy which destroy cancer cells
Effects of EM Radiation on Living Things and the Environment
Electromagnetic radiation is the type of radiation we can encounter in different kinds of
electromagnetic waves.
Radiation is classified as ionizing and non-ionizing.
Ionizing radiation is any type of electromagnetic wave that carries enough energy to
remove electrons from an atom. ( ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma ray)
non-ionizing radiation does not have sufficient energy to remove an electron from an
atom. (Radio wave, microwave, infrared and visible light)
Properties of Light
1. Reflection is the bouncing off of light ray when it hits a surface like a plane mirror.
Law of reflection states that the angle of incident is equal to the angle of reflection.
2. Refraction is the bending of light rays as it hits the surface.
Types of Mirrors
1. Plane Mirrors are mirrors with flat surface
2. Curved Mirrors are mirrors with curved reflecting surface and derived from a spherical mirror
a. concave mirrors are curved mirrors where the reflecting surface is inward, and they are said
to be converging mirrors as they allow reflected rays to converge and form an image.
b. Convex Mirrors are curved mirrors which have an outward reflecting surface are said to be
diverging as reflected rays move divergently away from the mirror.
Concave lenses are also known for their diverging property as refraction occurs. They are
thinner in the middle and thicker on the edges. They are used in optical instruments such as
telescope (Galileo’s Telescope), peephole or door viewer and eyeglasses that are used to
correct nearsightedness (myopia). Myopia is a condition where an image of a distant object
becomes focused in front of the retina because the refractive power of the object is too strong.
Convex lenses are known for their converging property during the process of refraction. The
refracted rays converge at the focal point and produce a variety of images. They are thicker in
the middle and thinner on the edges. They are usually used in magnifying glass, microscopes,
binoculars and eyeglasses that are used to correct farsightedness (hyperopia), a condition
where there is an inadequate (insufficient) refractive power to focus on the retina.
(Images Formed by Lenses (Review the Ray Diagram used in both concave and convex
lenses.)
Ele
Electromagnetic Induction
discovered by MICHAEL FARADAY.
It refers to the production of electric current across a conductor when exposed to a
changing magnetic field.
Electromagnetic induction is the creation of an electro-motive force (EMF) by way of a
moving magnetic field around an electric conductor and, conversely, the creation of
current by moving an electric conductor through a static magnetic field.
Current is induced in the coil due to the relative motion between the magnet and the coil.
Deflection reverses when the poles of the magnet are reversed. This direction of
deflection shows the direction of the flow of current.
Faster motion of the magnet or coil causes a faster deflection; rate at which the current
is induced is more.
is used to power many electrical devices such as electric motor and generator. Electric
motor is used in washing machines, transformers and trains while an electric generator
produces a current applying the principle of electromagnetic induction.
Electromagnetic induction is the process in which electric current is generated by a
changing magnetic field. Motors and generators are electromagnetic devices that follow
the principle of electromagnetic induction.
