em waves

• What health effects can ultraviolet waves cause?

  • Skin aging
  • Increased risk of skin cancer
• What health effects can X-rays and gamma rays cause?

  • Ionizing radiation causing gene mutations
  • Increased risk of various cancers
• What health effects can infrared rays cause?

  They can cause burns to skin/tissue
• What are the effects of body cells absorbing radiation?

  • Large amounts can damage cells
  • Smaller amounts can cause mutations leading to cancer
• What is a use of radio waves?

  Communications
• Why are radio waves used for communications?

  They can travel long distances without losing quality
• What is a use of microwaves?

  Cooking
• How do microwaves heat food?

  They are absorbed by fat/water in foods
• What are the uses of infrared radiation?

  • Cooking food
  • Infrared cameras
  • Short-range communication
• What are the uses of visible radiation?

  • Illuminating (seeing)
  • Fibre optics
• What are the uses of UV radiation?

  • Sterilisation (kills bacteria)
  • Energy-efficient lamps
  • Sun tanning
• What are the uses of X-rays?

  • Medical imaging
  • Treatment (high energy, penetrates tissues)
• What are the uses of gamma rays?

  • Medical treatments (radiotherapy for cancer)
• Which waves of the EM spectrum are regarded as most dangerous?

  Gamma and X rays
• Why are gamma and X rays considered most dangerous?

  They have the highest energy