Uses of EM Waves (Oxford AQA IGCSE Physics)
Revision Note
Uses of EM Waves
Electromagnetic waves have a variety of uses and applications
Table of Applications of EM Waves
Wave | Use |
Radio |
|
Microwave |
|
Infrared |
|
Visible light |
|
Ultraviolet |
|
X-rays |
|
Gamma rays |
|
Radio Waves
Radio waves and microwaves share a lot of similarities and applications
Their main uses are in wireless communications
Radio waves can be used to transmit signals over short distances
Radio station signals are transmitted at a longer wavelength than terrestrial television signals
Bluetooth uses radio waves instead of wires or cables to transmit information between electronic devices, over short distances, such as phones and speakers
Microwaves
Microwaves can be used to transmit signals over large distances
On the ground, mobile phone signals use a network of microwave transmitter masts to relay the signals from the nearest mast to the receiving phone
Certain frequencies of microwaves are absorbed by water molecules, therefore high intensity microwaves can be used for heating substances that contain water such as food
Infrared
Infrared is emitted by all objects and can be detected using special cameras (thermal imaging cameras). These can be used in industry, in research and also in medicine
Security cameras and baby monitors are capable of seeing slightly into the infrared part of the spectrum and this can be used to allow them to see in the dark
Infrared lights are used to illuminate an area without being seen, which is then detected using the camera
Remote controls also have small infrared LEDs that can send invisible signals to an infrared receiver on a device such as a TV
Infrared travels down fibre optic cables more efficiently than visible light, and so most fibre optic communication systems use infrared
Visible Light
Visible light is the only part of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see
Cameras also detect visible light for use in photography and filmography
Visible light can also be used for fibre optic communications
This is because glass is transparent to visible light
Visible light (and infrared) can carry high rates of data due to their high frequency
This makes them suitable for transmitting television and high-speed broadband signals
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet is responsible for giving you a sun tan, which is your body’s way of protecting itself against the ultraviolet
When certain substances are exposed to ultraviolet, they absorb it and re-emit it as visible light (making them glow)
This process is known as fluorescence
Fluorescence can be used to secretly mark things using special ink
Most banknotes have invisible fluorescent markings on them
Fluorescent light bulbs also use this principle to emit visible light
X-rays
The most obvious use of x-rays is in medicine
X-rays can pass through most body tissues but are absorbed by the denser parts of the body, such as bones
When exposed to X-rays, the bones absorb the X-rays, leaving a shadow which can be seen using a special X-ray detector or photographic film
Gamma Rays
Gamma rays are very dangerous and can be used to kill cells and living tissue
This property can be utilised in both cancer detection and treatment
If these gamma rays are carefully aimed at cancerous tissue, they can be very effective at destroying the cancerous cells
Gamma rays can also be used to sterilise food and medical equipment by killing bacterial cells
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