Microwave and Infrared Waves

• What are the second and third groups in the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Microwave radiation and infrared radiation
• Why do microwaves have relatively long wavelengths and low frequencies?

  They are located on the far left of the spectrum
• How can microwaves be split into two groups?

  • Not absorbed by water molecules
  • Absorbed by water molecules
• What is the use of microwaves that aren't absorbed by water molecules?

  Used for communication via satellites
• Why can microwaves pass through the Earth's atmosphere?

  They aren't absorbed by water molecules
• How are microwaves received after passing through the atmosphere?

  They are received by a satellite
• What do we use to detect microwaves transmitted from satellites?

  A satellite dish
• How do microwaves heat food in microwave ovens?

  They are absorbed by water molecules in food
• Why do foods with more water heat up more quickly in microwaves?

  Water molecules absorb energy and vibrate
• What type of radiation is emitted from all objects with thermal energy?

  Infrared radiation
• How does the amount of infrared radiation emitted depend on an object's temperature?

  Hotter objects emit more infrared radiation
• What is one use of infrared radiation in technology?

  Infrared cameras for night vision
• How do infrared cameras help us see living organisms?

  They detect emitted infrared radiation
• Why do warm animals appear bright in infrared images?

  They emit lots of infrared radiation
• How does infrared radiation cook food differently than microwaves?

  Infrared doesn't penetrate the food's surface
• What happens to metal when heated to high temperatures in cooking?

  It emits lots of infrared radiation
• How do electric heaters use infrared radiation?

  They heat metal to emit infrared radiation
• When are microwaves and infrared waves harmful to us?

  In high quantities
• What happens to living cells in a microwave?

  They would boil and be destroyed
• What could happen if you put your hand too close to a grill?

  You'd probably get burns
• What are the main uses of microwaves and infrared radiation?

  Microwaves:

  • Communication via satellites
  • Heating food in microwave ovens

  
  

  Infrared Radiation:

  • Night vision with infrared cameras
  • Cooking with ovens and grills
  • Heating rooms with electric heaters