properties of waves 2

• Electromagnetic waves


  Waves generated or absorbed when changes take place in atoms or nuclei
• Generating electromagnetic waves from atoms

  1. Electrons move to higher energy levels

  2. Electrons return to original energy levels

  3. Electromagnetic wave is generated
• Generating gamma rays from atoms

  1. Changes occur in the nucleus of radioactive atoms

  2. Gamma ray is emitted

  3. Nucleus has less energy than before
• Electromagnetic waves can be absorbed by atoms
• Electromagnetic waves cover a wide frequency range from radio waves to gamma rays
• Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma rays


  • Potentially hazardous to the human body
  • Ultraviolet increases skin cancer risk and premature skin aging
  • X-rays and gamma rays are ionizing radiation that can cause gene mutations and cancer
• Radiation dose


  Measured in sieverts or millisieverts
• Producing radio waves


  1. Electrons oscillate in an electrical circuit

  2. Radio waves are absorbed by an aerial

  3. Cause electrons in the circuit to oscillate

  4. Creates an alternating current with the same frequency