Worksheet EM Waves Application
Worksheet EM Waves Application
SCIENCE GRADE 10
Name:_______________________________ Date: ________________
Section:______________________________ Score: _______________
Objectives:
https://www.uib.no/en/hms-prtalen/75292/electromagnetic-spectrum
PRE-TEST
1. ________________ are waves used by cops to test the speed of your car with
RADAR.
4. What type of electromagnetic waves are used to cook food, predict the weather,
and for communications?
RADIO WAVES
Radio waves have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are
produced by making electrons vibrate in an antenna. They are used to transmit sound
and picture information over long distances.
Radio waves have a very wide range of wavelengths. The whole region of the radio
waves is divided into smaller regions or wavebands. Each waveband is allocated by
law to a specific radio service. The wavelengths and frequencies of the different
wavebands and their uses are shown in Table.
Medium and high frequency waves are used for broadcasting by local radio stations.
In a radio station, sound is converted by a microphone into patterns of electric current
variations called audio-frequency (AF) signals. High frequency radio waves called
radio-frequency (RF) carriers can be modulated to match the electronic signal. In
amplitude modulation, the amplitude of the radio waves (RF carrier) changes to match
that of the audio-frequency signal. This is used in standard broadcasting because it
can be sent over long distances. Very high frequency waves provide a higher quality
broadcasting including stereo sound. In this process, instead of the amplitude of the
RF carrier, it is the frequency of the waves that changes to match that of the signal.
This is called frequency modulation.
MICROWAVES
Microwaves have smaller wavelengths than radio waves. They are used in satellite
communications, radar, television transmission and cooking.
Applications of Microwaves
Satellite Communications Microwaves can penetrate the atmosphere of the earth. This
is the reason why they are used for satellite communications. Communication
satellites travel around the earth at an altitude of 35, 000 km above the equator. They
move at a speed of 11 300 km/h and revolve around the earth every 24 hours, the same
rate as the rotation of the earth. This makes them appear to be stationary when seen
on Earth. Antennae are mounted to point in fixed directions towards these satellites.
Microwaves signals are transmitted by an antenna to a satellite which amplifies and
retransmits the signal to an antenna in other parts of the world. This is how we
communicate with the rest of the world.
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Radar
A radar All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means - electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written
permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2015. DEPED COPY 156
Microwaves have short wavelengths and are reflected by small objects. This property is used
in radars. Radar is the acronym of radio detection and ranging. A radar system consists of an
antenna, transmitter, and a receiver. The antenna whirls around continuously to scan the
surrounding area. The transmitter sends out a narrow beam of microwaves in short pulses. A
distant object reflects some of the signal back to the receiver. The direction to which the
signal was received gives the direction of the object. The distance of the object can be
calculated from the time lag between the transmitted pulse and the reflected pulse.
Terrestrial Communication
Microwaves are used to transmit television news coverage from mobile broadcast
vehicles back to the station. The news crew can also set up a small antenna to send
signals to a communication satellite. This is how news is broadcasted and watched
live around the world. Figure 6. A Television set A cell phone is a radio transmitter and
receiver that uses microwaves. Cellular phones depend on overlapping networks of
cells or areas of land several kilometres in diameter. Each cell has its tower that
receives and sends microwave signals. The figure below will give you further
understanding on the process.
Microwave oven In a microwave oven, foods absorb certain microwave frequencies very
strongly. The microwaves penetrate the food being heated. It will agitate the water molecules
within the food, thus creating molecular friction which then produces heat that will cook it.
INFRARED
Infrared radiation lies beyond the red end of the visible light. It is emitted by all objects. The
amount and wavelength of radiation depend on temperature. Below 500oC, an object emits
only infrared radiation. Above 500oC, an object glows and emits both infrared and some
visible light. Our bodies radiate infrared and under infrared cameras or a night vision goggle,
our images appear in a variety of colors. The differences in color determine the differences in
temperature. For example, shades of blue and green indicate regions of colder temperature;
and red and yellow indicate warmer temperature.
In Figure 9, the dog is covered with a thick coat of fur that prevents the heat generated
by the dog’s body from escaping. Notice that the dog’s nose is cold while the eyes
and mouth areas are warm.
1. Infrared photographs taken from a satellite with special films provide useful details of the vegetation
on the Earth’s surface.
2. Infrared scanners are used to show the temperature variation of the body. This can be used for
medical diagnosis.
3. Infrared remote controls are used in TVs, video, cassette recorders, and other electronic appliances.
5. Some autofocus cameras have transmitters that send out infrared pulses. The pulses are reflected by
the object to be photographed back to the camera. The distance of the object is calculated by the time
lag between the sending and receiving of pulses. The lens is then driven by a built-in motor to adjust to
get the correct focus of the object.
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Our eyes are sensitive to electromagnetic waves of wavelengths that ranges from 4x10-7 m
to 7x10-7 m. This is the range of wavelengths of white light. Thus, the spectrum of white light
is therefore called the visible spectrum. Table 3 shows the wavelengths of the different colors
that constitute the white light.
Some Uses of UV Radiation The sun is our main source of ultraviolet radiation but there are
also artificial sources of UV light.
Ultraviolet radiation in UV lamps are used by banks to check the signature on a passbook.
The signature is marked on the passbook with fluorescent ink. It becomes visible when
viewed under an ultraviolet lamp. These lamps are also used to identify fake banknotes.
Ultraviolet radiation is also used in sterilizing water from drinking fountains. Some washing
powder also contains fluorescent chemicals which glow in sunlight. This makes your shirt
look whiter than white in daylight.
Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight produces vitamin D in the skin and gives us a tanning effect.
But since UV rays have high energy, it could be harmful to some extent. It could burn the skin
and hurt our eyes. Overexposure to UV radiation may cause skin cancer. Suntan or
sunscreen lotions serve as filters to protect the body from ultraviolet radiation
X-rays
X-rays come just after the ultraviolet rays. They are of shorter wavelength but carry higher
energy than the UV. X-rays are produced using an X-ray tube. They are emitted when fast
moving electrons hit a metal target. X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in
1895.
Long wavelength X-rays can penetrate the flesh but not the bones. They are used in X-ray
photography to help doctors look inside the body. They are useful in diagnosing bone
fractures and tumors. Figure 11. An X-ray film.
Short wavelength X-rays can penetrate even through metals. They are used in industry to
inspect welded joints for faults.
All X-rays are dangerous because they can damage healthy living cells of the body. This is
the reason why frequent exposure to X-rays should be avoided. Too much exposure to X-
rays can damage body tissues and can cause cancer.
Gamma Rays
Gamma rays lie at the other end of the electromagnetic spectrum. They are shortest in
wavelength and highest in frequency. They carry the highest amount of energy, thus, they
are more dangerous. Gamma rays are emitted by stars and some radioactive substances.
They can only be blocked with lead and thick concrete. Gamma rays are so strong that they
can kill living cells. Gamma rays are used to treat cancer through the process called
radiotherapy. They are also used for sterilization of drinking water.
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❖ Non ionizing radiation refers to any type of electromagnetic radiation that does
not carry enough energy per quantum to ionize atoms or molecules- that is ,
completely remove an electron from an atom.
Worksheet 1 (Activity 2)
Application of Electromagnetic Waves
II. Record your interactions with electromagnetic waves for at least 1 day.
Remember cell phones, sunlight, heat (ovens, heaters), microwaves, radios, remote
controls, wireless modems etc. Some example entries are given:
Examples
Time Activity Type of EM Wave Produced by
My Electromagnetic Diary
TIME ACTIVITY TYPE OF EM WAVE PRODUCED BY
Worksheet no.3
Complete the table below in worksheet no.3 by matching the types of radiation in each box
with its effect on living tissue and its use.
Its use
Satellite Communicati Creating Seeing Optical Remote
communicatio on RADAR images of the fibres and controls and
n. Cooking inside of the communication thermal imaging
body s
X-Ray
Infrared
Radio
1. What type of electromagnetic waves are used to take pictures of bones in medicine?
A. Radio waves B. X-Rays C. Infrared rays D. Gamma rays 2. Which of the
following is NOT an application of gamma rays?
A. racking storms
B. killing bacteria C.
C. screening luggage at airports
D. two of the above
A. X-rays
B. Cosmic Waves
C. Radio Waves
D. Thermal IR
References:
1. Science 10 Learner’s Material
2. Quizziz.com Google Search
3. www.ducksters.com.