Directions: Answer the following activity.

Look at the picture below, write the name

of the correct Electromagnetic wave corresponding to the letters on the picture.

R You may refer your answer for numbers 1-7 from the box.

E
V A B C D E F G

I radio wave
microwave

E infrared
visible light
ultraviolet
w x-ray
gamma ray
A
G
G
Practical Applications
and Effects of
Electromagnetic 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 Practical Applications
Microwaves have smaller wavelengths than radio waves. They
are used in satellite communications, radar, television
transmission and cooking.
microwaves Practical Applications
microwaves Practical Applications
 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.
Infrared (IR) Practical Applications
Infrared (IR) Practical Applications
 Enables us to see things around us. It also gives light to
the screen of most electronic devices.

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.
 When white light passes through a prism, it is separated into
its constituent colors: the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo
and violet. These colors do not distinctly separate but they
continuously change from red to violet. Red color has the
longest wavelength from among these colors and violet has the
shortest.

Figure 10. The visible spectrum

Table 3 shows the wavelengths of the different colors that constitute the
white light.

Color Wavelength (nm)

Violet - Indigo 390 to 455
Blue 455 to 492
Green 492 to 577
Yellow 577 to 597
Orange 597 to 622
Red 622 to 700
Table 3. The wavelength of the Different Colors of Light.
Visible light Practical Applications
 Ultraviolet radiation lies just beyond the violet end of the
visible spectrum. Ultraviolet waves have shorter wavelengths
than the visible light and carry more energy.
Ultraviolet (UV) Practical Applications
Ultraviolet (UV) Practical Applications
 X-rays come just after the ultraviolet rays. They are of shorter
wavelength but carries higher energy than the UV.
X-ray Practical Applications
 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 ray Practical Applications
 Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living
things and the environment

From the practical applications of EM waves discussed,

what can we conclude about their significance to us?
How do you think they ca be harmful to us?
 Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living
things and the environment

• The effect of EM radiation on organisms and the

environment depends on how much energy it carries.
• Radiation can be non-ionizing and ionizing.
• Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy
to remove electrons from atoms and molecules.
• Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light and
ultraviolet are non-ionizing radiation.
 Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living
things and the environment

• We are exposed to low levels of non-ionizing radiation

every day.
• When the exposure is intense and direct, it may result in
damage to tissue due to heat.
• Right amount of non-ionizing radiation like UV rays
maintain the proper mechanism of ecosystem.
 Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living
things and the environment

• High-energy EM waves like x-rays and gamma rays are

considered as ionizing radiation.
• We are also exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation
that comes from the atmosphere. This means that the
usual amount of ionizing radiation from natural sources
absorbed by our bodies is small.
 Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living
things and the environment

• Our main exposure to ionizing radiation comes from

manmade sources through the use of diagnostic
medical exams.
• Excessive exposure to these radiations can alter
molecules within the cells and may cause eventual
harm such as skin or tissue damage, cancer and
death.
 Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living
things and the environment

• When handled improperly, radioactive pollution may

occur, where the air, soil and water will be
contaminated. This pollution may eventually make its
way up to the food chain where all forms of life may
be affected.
 What I Have Learned

radio wave
microwave

infrared
visible light

ultra violet

X-rays
long wavelength X-ray
short wavelength X-ray

gamma rays

energy
Do Performance #2: Create a collage depicting the
practical applications of the different regions of EM waves
in a ¼ illustration board using pictures/cut-outs from old
magazines, catalogues, newspapers, and others.
Example:
R
u
b
r
I
c