EM waves

Cards (9)

  • transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of the wave to an absorber
  • increases frequency as wavelength decreases
  • Radiowaves uses
    • television and radio communications
  • microwaves uses
    • used in satellite communications as their short wave length can penetrate atmosphere and reach satellites
    • in microwaves as they can penetrate food to cause heating
  • infared uses
    • absorption causes heating so used in electrical heaters such as toasters
    • infared cameras
  • Visible light uses
    • fibre optic communications - signals can travel down fibre
  • UV
    • energy efficient light bulbs
    • tanning beds
  • XRAYS
    • Can penetrate soft tissues but not bone - useful for medical imagery
  • gamma uses
    • steralise medical equipment
    • radiotherapy - destroys tumor cells