P15 - Electromagnetic Waves

• Electromagnetic waves can be classified into different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
• Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
• When you go down the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength decreases and the frequncy increases
• The EM spectrum are made up of transverse waves
• Radio Waves:

  • Used for radio and television signals
  • Can travel through long distances and can bend around obstructions
  • Can penetrate the body and damage internal parts of the body
• Microwaves:

  • Used for satellite communications and cooking food
  • Can travel through Earth's atmosphere
  • Can penetrate into food and can be absorbed by water molecules to make the food heat up
• Infrared:

  • Used for infrared cameras, cooking food and electric heaters
  • Can transfer energy quickly
  • All hot objects emit infrared waves
  • Can damage or kill skin cells due to heat