Effect of EM waves in nuclei and living tissue: Waves: Physics: GCSE (9:1)

• What happens to electrons when an atom absorbs EM radiation

  Electrons at a particular energy level jump to higher levels (at larger distances from the nucleus)

  
• When electrons in an atom move to a lower energy level

  The atom emits energy, releasing it as a specific frequency of EM radiation

  
• Origin of gamma rays

  Gamma rays originate from changes in the nucleus of an atom
• EM radiation that has hazardous effects on human body tissue

  Ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma rays

  
• Radiation dose


  A measure of the risk of harm resulting from an exposure of the body to the radiation

  
• Sievert (Sv)

  The SI unit for radiation dose
• Millisievert (mSv)


  A more commonly used unit for radiation dose, as absorption is usually less than 1 Sv
• 1 sievert (Sv) is equal to _____ millisieverts (mSv)

  1,000 millisieverts (mSv)
• Dangers of ultraviolet light

  Can cause skin to age prematurely and increase the risk of skin cancer

  
• Dangers of X-rays and gamma rays

  Can cause the mutation of genes which can lead to cancer
• Dangers of microwaves

  Can cause internal heating of body tissues
• Dangers of infrared radiation

  Felt as heat and causes skin to burn