Applications of

Electromagnetic Waves
 Learning Competency

At the end of this lesson, the given DepEd learning

competency should be met by the students.

Cite examples of practical applications of the different

regions of EM waves, such as the use of radio waves in
telecommunications (S10FE-IIc-d-48).
 Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to

do the following:

● Enumerate the different uses of certain parts of the

electromagnetic spectrum.

● Differentiate long distance and short distance

utilization of electromagnetic waves.
 Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to

do the following:

● Discuss how lasers are produced.

● Discuss some X-ray and UV ray techniques.

Radio wave is only one of the seven regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum.

In this lesson, you will learn more about the various

technological applications of EM waves.
 Try it!
Warm-Up

Terms to Remember
Light exhibits different behaviors when it encounters a
medium. Some of the behaviors of light were:
i. Transmission
ii. Dispersion
iii. Absorption
iv. Scattering
 Learn about It

Long Distance Communication

• Long distance
communications rely on
transmission and reception of
electromagnetic waves such
as radio waves and
microwaves.

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) ground

station in Hawaii
 Learn about It

Long Distance Communication

• An antenna converts electrical signals into radio signals
and vice versa.
• These waves are picked up by antennae of television and
radio units at homes and offices.
 Learn about It

Long Distance Communication

• Transmission is the process in which an antenna converts
electric current to radio waves.
• Reception is the process in which an antenna converts
received radio wave signals to electric current.
 Learn about It

Long Distance Communication

• Radio communications work by systematically adjusting
the amplitude or frequency.
• In amplitude modulation (AM), the difference in the amplitudes (i.e.
signal strength) of the waves is modulated.
• In frequency modulation (FM), the difference in frequency (and
consequently wavelength) is varied instead of the amplitude.
 Learn about It

Long Distance Communication

• Radio communications work by systematically adjusting
the amplitude or frequency.
• In amplitude modulation (AM), the difference in the amplitudes (i.e.
signal strength) of the waves is modulated.
• In frequency modulation (FM), the difference in frequency (and
consequently wavelength) is varied instead of the amplitude.
 Learn about It

Long-Distance Communication
• Microwaves are also used in long distance
communication for systems such as the Global
Positioning System (GPS) for navigation and mapping.
 Learn about It

Short-Distance Communication
• Wireless communications over short distances also
require higher-energy electromagnetic wave such as
microwave and infrared rays.
 Learn about It

Short-Distance Communication
• Wireless communications over short distances also
require higher-energy electromagnetic wave such as
microwave and infrared rays.
 Learn about It

Short-Distance Communication
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) uses microwaves
to enable communications between the Wireless Access
Point or WAP (the device that serves as the hub or center
of LAN), and the terminals (computers, laptops, mobile
devices connected to LAN).
 Learn about It

Visible Light and Night Vision

• Night vision systems work by using
infrared radiation as an additional
input to visible light in producing
images.

A tactical air controller in night

vision on a simulated target using
lasers.
 Learn about It

Visible Light and Night Vision

• Infrared emissions are associated with surfaces with a
higher relative temperature compared with the
environment.
 Learn about It

X-ray Techniques
• X-ray scanners in ports and
airports are used to detect
what is inside luggage and
boxes that enter these
establishments.

A baggage screening X-ray display

 Learn about It

Laser
• A laser device is made of a tube
with mirrors on both ends and a
material that can be stimulated
to produce light.

A laser cutting machine which forms

and cuts metals.
 Learn about It

Laser
• Laser cutting technology are used to cut metals and
woods. It works by heating a thin region across a material
allowing it to either burn or melt.
• Laser is also commonly used in reading contents of an
optical disk.
 Learn about It

UV Radiation
• UV radiation can make some difficult-to-see substances
more visible through fluorescence.
• Fluorescence is a phenomenon where substances absorb
UV radiation and emit visible light.
 Learn about It

UV Radiation
• Chemicals that are capable of
fluorescence are added to paper
money, usually as ink with a
certain pattern. This is why UV
radiation can be used to detect
counterfeit money.

Money under UV light

 Key Points

● EM waves have several applications in technology which includes the

following:
○ Radio waves and microwaves are used in long distance
communications such as that in AM and FM radio communications.

○ Microwaves are used in short distance applications such as in WLAN

and those in remote controls of appliances.

○ Infrared are used in night vision systems of CCTV cameras.

 Key Points

● EM waves have several applications in technology which includes the

following:
○ Lasers use amplified light waves for detecting barcodes in groceries
and reading disk drives.

○ UV rays make some difficult-to-see substances more visible through

fluorescence. These waves are also used in detecting counterfeit
money and air purification.

○ X-rays are utilized in scanners of airports and establishments.

 Check Your Understanding

Direction: In this activity, the students are asked to

observe radio waves used in communication.
Materials:
● portable radio ● foil
 Check Your Understanding

Direction: In this activity, the students are

asked to demonstrate short-distance
communication using EM waves.
Materials:
● pocket wifi ● cellphones
 Photo Credit

Slide 19: Xray-verkehrshaus by IDuke is licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.
 Bibliography

BBC. Uses of Electromagnetic Radiation. Accessed on 20 April 2017.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z66g87h/revision/3.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Anatomy of an Electromagnetic Wave. Accessed on 20

April 2017. https://science.nasa.gov/ems.

Serway, Raymond A. and John W. Jewett. Physics for Scientist and Engineers 9th Edition. USA: Cengage
Learning. 2013.

Walker, James S. Physics 5th Edition. California: Pearson. 2016.