Michael-John Reeler

Grade 10J

Mrs Zimmerman

Physics Mini-Project:
Electromagnetic Spectrum
 1. The Types of Electromagnetic
Radiation
In order of increasing frequency and, therefore, decreasing
wavelength:
Radio and TV Waves
Micro Waves
Infrared Waves
Visible Light Rays
Ultra-Violet Rays
X-Rays
Gamma Rays

2. Examples of Uses of Each Type of

Electromagnetic Radiation
TV and Radio Waves are obviously used in TVs and radios, but
radio waves are also an effective method of communication.
Microwaves can be used as communication, radar, radio
astronomy and navigation.
Infrared light can be used as night vision, tracking, astronomy,
heat vision, communication and to study biological systems.
Visible light rays are the only electromagnetic waves we can
see, and are not used, but rather emitted from lamps, computer
screens, cellphones and torches.
Ultraviolet light is used in fluorescent lamps, astronomy, pest
control, disinfecting drinking water and sun tanning.
X-rays are used in hospitals often, to ‘see through’ a person’s
body to help doctors figure out what is wrong with the patient.
Gamma rays are used often in telescopes, as well as in scanners
in parts of the US to check for hazardous substances in secure
containers.

3. Penetrating Ability
The type of electromagnetic wave depends on penetrating
ability. The higher the frequency, the more powerful the
penetration ability. The penetration ability from smallest to
biggest is the same as Question 1, because that is the order of
increasing frequency.

4. The Dangers of Gamma, X-, and UV

Rays
Ultraviolet light can damage your skin quite badly if exposed to
too much of it. An example of that is when one gets sunburned
after lying in the sun for too long.
Gamma rays and X-rays are the most dangerous of all
electromagnetic waves. They can cause serious damage. If too
much radiation gets under your skin, the particles in the rays
collide with your particles, and thus they change you pattern
structure, and they can therefore cause mutations, for example,
cancer.

5. Radiation from Cell Phones

Cellphones do emit radiation. How much radiation they emit has
been the subject of many talks and researches by scientists. We
absorb most of cellphone radiation with our heads at a power
level of around 3.6 watts. Cellphone radiation also has a heating
effect on our heads that causes our head temperature to rise by a
fraction of a degree. There has also been a theory that too much
cellphone radiation can cause cancer, however, recent studies
have disproved that theory.