The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

1. They can travel through a vacuum (eg. Space)

Features of the
electromagneti
c spectrum
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

1. They can travel through a vacuum (eg. Space)

Features of the 2. In a vacuum they travel at a speed of 300 000
electromagneti kilometres per second.
c spectrum
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

1. They can travel through a vacuum (eg. Space)

Features of the 2. In a vacuum they travel at a speed of 300 000
electromagneti kilometres per second.
c spectrum 3. They are all transverse waves, with oscillations
at right angles to the direction of travel.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

1. They can travel through a vacuum (eg. Space)

Features of the 2. In a vacuum they travel at a speed of 300 000
electromagneti kilometres per second.
c spectrum 3. They are all transverse waves, with oscillations
at right angles to the direction of travel.
4. Electromagnetic waves transfer energy.
 Wavelengt
The Electromagnetic Spectrum h
(m)

104 10-1 10-3 10-6 10-7 10-9 10-11 10-14

 Frequency
The Electromagnetic Spectrum (Hz)

105 1010 1012 1014 1015 1017 1019 1022

Wavelengths decrease going along the Frequencies increase going along the
EM spectrum from radio waves to EM spectrum from radio waves to
gamma rays. gamma rays.
Wavelengths decrease going along the Frequencies increase going along the
EM spectrum from radio waves to EM spectrum from radio waves to
gamma rays. gamma rays.

Radio wave photons have the lowest frequency and the

least energy, and gamma ray photons have the highest
frequency and the most energy.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Intensity and
distance

Whenever
radiation is
absorbed by
matter,
photons
transfer their
energy to the
matter.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Intensity and
distance

Whenever The energy

radiation is deposited by a
absorbed by beam of
matter, photons electrons
transfer their depends upon
energy to the the number of
matter. photons and the
energy of each
photon.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Intensity and
distance

Whenever The energy The intensity of

radiation is deposited by a radiation means
absorbed by beam of how much
matter, photons electrons energy arrives
transfer their depends upon at each square
energy to the the number of metre of surface
matter. photons and the
energy of each per second
photon. (W/m2).
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Intensity and
distance

Whenever The energy The intensity of The intensity of

radiation is deposited by a radiation means a beam of
absorbed by beam of how much radiation
matter, photons electrons energy arrives decreases with
transfer their depends upon at each square distance from
energy to the the number of metre of surface the source.
matter. photons and the per second
energy of each (W/m2).
photon.
 1. The beam gets spread
out
The Electromagnetic Spectrum 2. The beam gets partially
absorbed as it travels.
Intensity and
distance

Whenever The energy The intensity of The intensity of

radiation is deposited by a radiation means a beam of
absorbed by beam of how much radiation
matter, photons electrons energy arrives decreases with
transfer their depends upon at each square distance from
energy to the the number of metre of surface the source.
matter. photons and the per second
energy of each (W/m2).
photon.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

…. and ionisation
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

…. and ionisation Some high energy EM radiation (ultraviolet,

X-rays and gamma rays) are known as
ionising radiation because they have enough
energy to remove an electron from an atom or
molecule)
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

…. and ionisation Some high energy EM radiation (ultraviolet,

X-rays and gamma rays) are known as
ionising radiation because they have enough
energy to remove an electron from an atom or
molecule)
Before ionisation

photo
n

Atom
or
molecu
le
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

…. and ionisation Some high energy EM radiation (ultraviolet,

X-rays and gamma rays) are known as
ionising radiation because they have enough
energy to remove an electron from an atom or
molecule)
Before ionisation After ionisation

photo
electro
n
n
Change
d atom
Atom or
or molecul
e
molecu
le

The photon hits the atom or molecule, and

removes an electron.
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

…. and ionisation Some high energy EM radiation (ultraviolet,

X-rays and gamma rays) are known as
ionising radiation because they have enough
energy to remove an electron from an atom or
molecule)
Before ionisation After ionisation If cells are exposed to ionising
radiation, they can damage the DNA
in the nucleus of the cell. This can
electro
cause mutations, and the cells divide
photo
n
n
Change
d atom constantly without control – this is
Atom or
or molecul
e
cancer.
molecu
le
Very high doses of ionising radiation
can kill cells.
Excessive exposure to UV radiation
The photon hits the atom or molecule, and
removes an electron. can lead to sunburn or even skin
cancer.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum …. and dangers
The Electromagnetic Spectrum …. and dangers

X - rays

X-rays are used by radiographers in

hospitals to check for broken bones.
X-rays pass easily through flesh, but are
absorbed by denser materials like bone
and metal.
X-ray imaging is also used in airports to
check the contents of bags.
Precautions: radiograhers wear lead
aprons or stand behind concrete to
protect themselves.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
X - rays
X-rays are used by radiographers in
hospitals to check for broken bones.
X-rays pass easily through flesh, but are
absorbed by denser materials like bone
and metal.
X-ray imaging is also used in airports to
check the contents of bags.
Precautions: radiograhers wear lead
aprons or stand behind concrete to
protect themselves.
…. and dangers
Microwaves
Microwaves are used to send signals
between mobile phones and mobile phone
masts.
When you make calls on your mobile,
your phone emits microwave radiation.
Some of this is absorbed by your body
and may cause heating of body tissues.
This heating could result in medical
conditions, possibly including cancer,
but there is no conclusive evidence.
Precaution: limit the amount of time you
spend talking on a mobile phone!
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting
Communications,
Satellite
transmissions
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting Cooking,
Communications, Communications,
Satellite Satellite
transmissions transmissions
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting Cooking, Cooking, thermal

Communications, Communications,imaging, short
Satellite range
Satellite communications,
transmissions transmissionsoptical fibres, TV
remote controls,
security systems.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting Cooking, Cooking, thermalVision

Communications, Communications,imaging,Photography
short
Satellite rangeIllumination
Satellite communications,
transmissions transmissionsoptical fibres, TV
remote controls,
security systems.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting Cooking, Cooking, thermalVision

Security marking,
Communications, Communications,imaging,Photography
short Fluorescent
Satellite rangeIlluminationlamps,
Satellite communications,
transmissions transmissionsoptical fibres, TVDetecting forged
remote controls, bank notes,
security systems. Disinfecting
water
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting Cooking, Cooking, thermalVision

Security marking,
Observing the
Communications, Communications,imaging,Photography
short Fluorescent
internal structure
Satellite rangeIlluminationlamps, of objects,
Satellite communications,
transmissions transmissionsoptical fibres, TVDetecting Airport
forged security
remote controls, bank notes,scanners,
security systems. DisinfectingMedical X-rays
water
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses

Broadcasting Cooking, Cooking, thermalVision

Security marking,
Observing the Sterilising food
Communications, Communications,imaging,Photography
short Fluorescent
internal structure and medical
Satellite rangeIlluminationlamps, of objects,
Satellite communications, equipment,
transmissions transmissionsoptical fibres, TVDetecting Airport
forged security Detection of
remote controls, bank notes,scanners, cancer and its
security systems. DisinfectingMedical X-rays treatment.
water
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Core Supplement
•Give a qualitative account of the Recall that light of a single frequency is
dispersion of light as shown by the action described as monochromatic
on light of a glass prism including the seven
colours of the spectrum in their correct
order
Describe the main features of the State that the speed of electromagnetic
electromagnetic spectrum in order of waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 108 m / s and is
wavelength approximately the same in air
• State that all e.m. waves travel with the
same high speed in a vacuum
• Describe typical properties and uses of
radiations in all the different regions of
the electromagnetic spectrum including: –
r adio and television communications (radio
waves) – s atellite television and
telephones (microwaves) – e lectrical
appliances, remote controllers for
televisions and intruder alarms (infra-red)
– medicine and security (X-rays)
• Demonstrate an awareness of safety
issues regarding the use of microwaves and
X-rays
PHYSICS – The Electromagnetic