Visible Light, Ultraviolet,

X-Rays and Gamma Rays

APPLICATIONS AND ITS DANGER
OBJECTIVES
Classify the different practical
applications of visible light,
ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays
and it’s dangers.
Make a Schematic diagram:
APPLICATIONS: DANGER:

STERILIZATION CELL DAMAGE MUTATIONS

SUN TAN CANCER DAMAGE THE RETINA
AIRPORT SECURITY SKIN CANCER SUNBURN
MEDICAL TREATMENT
KILL CANCER CELLS
DETECTING FORGED NOTES LASERS
ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
FLUORESCENCE
MEDICAL USE
 VISIBLE LIGHT

Shares the thinnest part in the EM spectrum

Same speed but different wavelength: red longest
and violet shortest
Light waves are given off by anything that’s hot
enough to glow
 Uses/Applications

Light waves can also be made using a laser

Lasers are used in compact disc & DVD players
Laser are also used in laser printers and in aircraft
weapon aiming systems.
 DANGERS

Damage the retina in your eye

 ULTRAVIOLET

Given off by the sun in large quantities

Consists of frequencies higher than visible light but lower
than x-ray
Carries higher amount of energy
Made by special lamps (sun beds)
Uses/Applications

Includes sun tan, detecting forged bank notes

Kill microbes and sterilize surgical equipment
Cause the body to produce Vitamin D with suitable
dose of UV rays.
DANGERS

Largedose of UV can damage the retina

Cause sunburn and even skin cancer
 X-RAYS

 Very high frequency waves and carry lot of energy

 Frequency ranges from 3x1016 to 3x1019 Hz
 Canpass through soft tissues but filtered with dense matter
such as bones
 For diagnosing bone fractures and dense tumors
 Given off by stars
X-ray machine
 Uses/Applications

 Used to see inside people

 Airport security
 Used by astronomers, since many
objects in the universe emits X-rays and detect using radio
telescopes
 Low energy x-rays can used to
 DANGERS

Cause cell damage and cancers

Frequent to x-rays can cause cancer over time
 GAMMA RAYS

Have the highest frequencies and energy

Emitted by the Sun and stars
Can also produced by radioactive substances
Pass through most materials and quite difficult to stop
 Uses/Applications
 Kill cancer cells called “Radiotherapy”
 Also targeted radiotherapy, where a radioactive substance is
used. (ex: radioactive iodine)
 Sterilize food known as “irradiated food”
 Used to sterilize medical equipment
DANGER

Celldamage and cancer

mutations
Quiz #__ Sept. 26, 2018
Directions: Classify the different practical applications of visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and
gamma rays and its dangers.
Match the column A with column B. Write the letters only and answers directly. Write it on
your quiz notebook.
COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. Damage the retina A. Visible Light
2. Medical treatment B. Ultraviolet
3. Airport security C. X-rays
4. Skin cancer D. Gamma rays
5. Artificial lighting
6. Medical use
7. Sunburn
8. Sterilization and fluorescence
9. Detecting forged bank notes
10. Cell damage and cancer
Assignment #____ Sept. 24, 2018

 Makea schematic diagram based on the application of each

EM waves mentioned and;
 Classify the different practical applications of visible light,
ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays and it’s dangers.
 Write it on your assignment notebook.