ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS and their

USES:
Radio waves:
Radio waves are at the lowest range of the electromagnetic spectrum,
with frequencies of up to about 30 billion hertz, or 30 gigahertz (GHz),
and wavelengths greater than about 0.4 inch (10 millimeters).
 Radio is used primarily for communications, including voice, data
and entertainment media.
Microwaves:
Microwaves fall in the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between
radio and IR. They have frequencies from about 3 GHz to 30 trillion
hertz, or 30 terahertz (THz), and wavelengths of about 0.004 to 0.4 inch
(0.1 to 10 mm).
 Microwaves are used for high-bandwidth communications and
radar, as well as for a heat source for microwave ovens and
industrial applications.
Infrared:
Infrared is in the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between
microwaves and visible light. IR has frequencies from about 30 to 400
THz and wavelengths of about 0.00003 to 0.004 inch (740 nanometers to
100 micrometers).
 IR light is invisible to human eyes, but we can feel it as heat if the
intensity is sufficient.
 Among the most well-known uses of Infrared (IR) are heat
sensors, thermal imaging, and night-vision equipment/cameras.
 In communication and networking, IR light is used in wired and
wireless operations.
 Other many uses are: Remote Controls, IR Astronomy, Fiber-
Optic Cables.
  The Greenhouse Effect is even related to Infrared Waves because
Greenhouse Gases absorb the Infrared emitted by the ground,
trapped it on the Earth.
Visible light:
Visible light is found in the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum,
between IR and UV. It has frequencies of about 400 to 800 THz and
wavelengths of about 0.000015 to 0.00003 inch (380 to 740
nanometers). More generally, visible light is defined as the wavelengths
that are visible to most human eyes.
Uses of Visible Light:
 It is extremely important to humans. We use it to SEE! Without
light our eyes would not be able to see images of anything
 Aside from sight, we concentrate visible light to make LASERs to
use in everything from surgery to CD Players to Laser Pointers.
 Also makes our TV, Computer and Cell Phone Screens work.
 Scientists can learn a lot about Stars by observing the color of light
they give off, like its light indicates:
How hot the star is, and also the types of gases that it is made of.
 We also study our own Sun using visible light to understand its
structure.
 Satellites with cameras that capture visible light are continuously
used to study and monitor the surface of our planet.
Ultraviolet:
Ultraviolet light is the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between
visible light and X-rays. It has frequencies of about 8 × 1014 to 3 x
1016 Hz and wavelengths of about 0.0000004 to 0.000015 inch (10 to
380 nanometers).
UV light is a component of sunlight, but it is invisible to the human eye.
 It has numerous medical and industrial applications, but it can
damage living tissue.
 Used in Dental Practices for a variety of purpose, such as
1. killing bacteria,
2. creating fluorescent effects,
 3. curing inks and resins,
4. and phototherapy and sun tanning.
 UV Lamp attracts insects which are electrocuted by high-voltage
wires near the lamp, so they won’t land on the food and so
contaminate it.
 Detecting forged Bank Notes in shops.
 For sterlising of products in Food and Drug companies.
 Hardening some types of Dental Fillings.
 Suitable dose of UV rays causes the body to produce Vitamin D.
It’s also used by doctors to treat Vit-D deficiency and some Skin
Disorders.
X-rays:
X-rays are roughly classified into two types: soft X-rays and hard X-
rays. Soft X-rays make up the range of the electromagnetic spectrum
between UV and gamma-rays. Soft X-rays have frequencies of about 3 ×
1016 to 1018 Hz and wavelengths of about 4 × 10−7 to 4 × 10−8 inch (100
picometers to 10 nanometers). Hard X-rays occupy the same region of
the electromagnetic spectrum as gamma-rays. The only difference
between them is their source: X-rays are produced by accelerating
electrons, while gamma-rays are produced by atomic nuclei.
Radiography:
The art and science of using radiation to provide images of the tissues,
organs, bones, and vessels that comprise the human body.
X-ray in Radiography:
Radiography is an imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or
similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal
form of an object.
Applications of radiography include medical radiography to detect bone
fractures, certain tumors and other abnormal masses, pneumonia,
calcification in foreign objects or Dental problems and industrial
radiography.
  Similar techniques are used in airport security. Radiologists,
physicians who have had special training in interpreting diagnostic
images, read or diagnose these images.
 Research and Development, these radiations are used to study the
structure and properties of atoms of an element.
For Example:
Composition of Crystals and the arrangement and behavior of
molecules of a compound can be observed with the help of X-rays.
Gamma-rays:
Gamma-rays are in the range of the spectrum above soft X-rays.
Gamma-rays have frequencies greater than about 1018 Hz and
wavelengths of less than 4 × 10−9 inch (100 picometers).
Gamma radiation causes damage to living tissue, which makes it useful
for killing cancer cells when applied in carefully measured doses to
small regions. Uncontrolled exposure, though, is extremely dangerous to
humans.
Gamma rays are one of the most energetic forms of light produced in the
hottest areas of the universe. They are also produced by supernova
explosions and by radioactive material in space. Gamma rays cannot be
reflected in mirrors like X-rays. Instead, they will pass right through
the mirror.
Gamma rays are a type of ionizing radiation and are hence extremely
dangerous. Ionizing radiation is high-energy radiation, enough to pull
away electrons from their atoms, thereby charging the particles
(converting them into ions), hence the name. The main ways of
producing gamma rays are by nuclear reactions.
 Nuclear Fusion
 Nuclear Fission
 Alpha Decay
 Gamma Decay
Uses of Gamma Rays:
 Sterilize medical equipment
 Sterilize food (irradiated food)
 Used as tracers in medicine
 Radio Therapy- In oncology, to kill cancerous cells
 Gamma-Ray Astronomy