em waves

• Types of EM Radiation


  • X rays
  • Gamma
  • Ultraviolet
  • Infrared
  • Microwaves
  • Light
  • Radio waves
• X rays


  • Uses: Shadow pictures of luggage and inside the human body
  • Dangers: High doses can kill cells, lower doses can cause cells to become cancerous
• How hospital workers limit exposure to Gamma and X rays

  1. Standing behind lead shields

  2. Leaving the room when the radiations are being used
• Gamma


  • Uses: Kills harmful bacteria in food, sterilising surgical equipment, killing cancer cells
  • Dangers: High doses can kill cells, lower doses can cause cells to become cancerous
  • Frequency: High
  • Wavelength: Short
• Ultraviolet


  • Uses: Sun beds, fluorescent lamps and security marking
  • Dangers: High doses can kill cells, lower doses can cause cells to become cancerous
• The higher the frequency of the radiation


  The more dangerous it is
• Gamma is more dangerous than X rays or ultraviolet
• Infrared


  • Uses: Remote controls (TV/VCR), radiant heaters, grills, optical fibre communication, night vision
  • Dangers: Skin burns
• Microwaves


  • Uses: Satellite communication, mobile phone networks, cooking, RADAR
  • Dangers: Internal tissue heating
  • Frequency: Low
  • Wavelength: Long
• Light


  • Uses: Seeing and endoscopes
  • Dangers: Blindness
• Radio waves


  • Uses: Communication and astronomy