QUARTER 2 MODULE 5

THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM

Visible light shares the thinnest slice in the electromagnetic spectrum. It lies inbetween the infrared and
ultraviolet rays. It is the only EM wave perceived by the human eye. If not because of visible light, we
will not be able to see the beauty of our surroundings.

White light, like that of sunlight, is made up of a variety of colors. When light passes through a prism, it
is separated into its constituent colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet (ROYGBIV).
These colors do not distinctly separate but they continuously change from red to violet. Though these
colors travel at the same speed, they come in different wavelengths. Red has the longest wavelength
and violet has the shortest.

Our eyes are sensitive to electromagnetic waves of wavelengths that range from 4 x 10-7 m to 7 x 10-7
m. This is the range of wavelengths of white light. Thus, the spectrum of white light is called the visible
spectrum. The table below shows the wavelengths of the different colors that constitute white light.
Table 1. Wavelengths of the different colors of light.

ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
Ultraviolet radiation lies just beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum. Ultraviolet waves have
shorter wavelengths than visible light and carry more energy.
USES OF UV RADIATION
The sun is our main source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation but there are also artificial sources of UV light.
UV lamps are used by banks to check the signature on a passbook. The signature is marked on a
passbook with fluorescent ink. It becomes visible when viewed under an ultraviolet lamp. These lamps
are also used to identify fake bank notes. Ultraviolet radiation is also used in sterilizing water from
drinking fountains. Hospitals use UV to sterilize medical instruments to kill harmful bacteria. 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. Sunblock and
sunscreen lotions serve as filters to protect the body from ultraviolet radiation.
X-RAYS
X-rays come just after the ultraviolet rays. They have shorter wavelengths 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 flesh but not bones. They are used in X-ray photography to help doctors look inside the body.
They are useful in diagnosing bone fractures and tumors. 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. That is 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 very 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 medical equipment.

QUARTER 2 MODULE 5

Electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of electromagnetic waves arranged according to frequency

and wavelength. It includes: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and
gamma rays arranged from gradual increase of energy and frequency but decreasing wavelength. These
waves do not have exact dividing region. They share similar characteristics, yet, they are unique in some
ways. Electromagnetic waves are different from mechanical waves in some important ways. They are
series of disturbances that transfer energy through a field and propagate without a need for matter as
medium. It is a transverse wave Radiation is the term used to describe the transfer of energy in the form
of EM wave and that energy travels through space. We are surrounded with thousands of waves. They
collide with our bodies and some pass through us. Most of these waves are invisible but we can perceive
some. The warmth of the sun and the light that we see are just a few of them. Hence, Electromagnetic
waves are Electromagnetic radiation.

Electromagnetic waves are produced by the accelerating electrons from a changing magnetic field that
produces an electric field and a changing electric field that produces a magnetic field. Both fields
oscillate perpendicular (90 0 ) to each other and to the direction of the propagating wave. The waves
can travel in a medium and it speeds vary according to material type but instead of disturbing the
matter, EM waves disturb the space by affecting its electric and magnetic properties. EM waves energy
can be converted into many different forms of energy. With these characteristics, EM waves are used for
a wide variety of purposes. The waves have similar movement to that of the mechanical waves when
they encounter a barrier. EM waves can also travel in a vacuum or empty space at a constant speed of 3
x 10 8 m/s. (speed of light=c= 3 x 10 8 m/s) the rate where the rays of the sun takes 8 minutes to reach
the earth. The advancement on the knowledge about electromagnetic waves led us to a modern
technological world. This modern technological world has also brought several changes in our lives and
our environment.
Thus, the effects are also inevitable and in order to keep ourselves from harm is to be informed on the
why and how it will affect us and our environment. The uses and effects of EM waves in the living things
and the environment we interacted. Radio waves longest wavelength but of lowest frequencies and
energy therefore, deemed safe. Uses: carrier information in radio communication and television Used by
astronomers to gather information about celestial objects and various parts of the universe using radio
telescopes Characteristics: Not line of sight, can pass through walls, longer range and not light sensitive
Disadvantages:
1. Communication devices that make use of the same frequencies interfere with their
transmission.
2. It is easier to “eavesdrop” since signals are transmitted in space rather than a wire.
3. More costly than infrared.
4. Can be a noise pollution if too much sound is produced ,may break ear drums and affects
heartbeat with unregulated amplitude and frequencies. Microwaves have smaller wavelengths
than radio waves. Used in so many ways from cooking to texting, in small amplitude, like in cell
phone signal, for safety, cellphones receive and transmit microwaves at very low intensities,
RADAR, television transmission and telecommunications to the rest of the world, High energy
microwaves radiation at frequencies from 300 MHz to 300 GHz can be carcinogenic and cause
thermal effects, increasing the temperature of exposed organisms. Infrared literally means
“lower than red”, refers to EM waves with frequencies below the visible red light. The amount
and wavelength of radiation depends on temperature below 500 0 C, an object emits only
infrared radiation. Above 500 0 C, an object glows and emits both infrared and some visible
light. Our bodies radiate infrared, thus in night vision goggle it emits variety of colors. Used in
camera technology, short distance transfer of files between phones, satellite photographs,
scanners for temperature, used for medical diagnosis, remote controls in TV’s, video cassette
recorders and other electronic devices, infrared telescopes and electrical heaters. Near Infrared
waves are short and not hot, in fact we cannot see them but feel in the form of heat. The
heating effect of IR, makes them particularly dangerous to susceptible tissues, such as skin and
eyes as they can cause burn, but this can be avoided because it provides a warning mechanism
in the form of pain. The waves can be used as infrared therapy, it has many roles in the human
body and positive effects; detoxification, reduce muscle tension, improved circulation,
relaxation boosting immune system, lowering blood pressure and lowering side effects of
diabetes. Visible spectrum refers to the range of electromagnetic spectrum that the eyes can
detect and make us see and appreciate the beauty of our surrounding. It ranges from 4.3 x 10 to
7.5 x 10 hertz. The color with the lowest frequency is red, followed by orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo and violet. They travel at same speed but differ in wavelength, energy and
frequency. When all frequencies of visible light are fused, white light is seen. Too much light
focused on the eyes can damage or burn the retina causing the blurring of vision or even
blindness. Ultraviolet radiation literally means “higher than violet”. Has higher energy and
frequency than the visible light. Used to sterilize medical instruments, production of vitamin D in
our skin, sterilization of drinking fountains, identifying bank notes. LASIK eye surgery using short
wavelength, treating skin diseases and used to gather information about celestial bodies
because most UV rays are absorbed by the atmosphere. 12 Over exposure can damaged tissue,
burn the skin or cause skin cancer and damage eyes, used UV sunscreen/sunblock lotions,
eyeglasses that could filter the frequencies, limit sunlight exposure from 10am to 4pm to avoid
the damaging effect. X-rays have very short wavelengths but with higher frequency and energy
than the UV, this enables it to pass through certain barriers, which is helpful in imaging
technology, long wavelength X-rays can penetrate the flesh but not the bone. Short wavelength
X-rays can penetrate even metals used in industry to inspect welded joints for faults. It is also
used for diagnosing bone fractures and tumors. It can damage body tissues and
frequent/overexposure to X-rays can cause cancer. Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves with
the highest frequency and energy of all bands, thus, they are more dangerous. They are emitted
by stars and some radioactive substances. They can only be blocked with lead and thick
concrete. They are very strong that they can kill living cells. They are used to treat cancer
through the process called radio therapy, with high accuracy and precision targeting only the
cancer cells. They are also used for drinking water sterilization and medical equipment.

Three things happen to EM radiation when it encounters a barrier. It can bounce (reflectance or
scattering), pass through (transmittance), or just plain stop (absorbance). EM waves can be
reflected, absorbed and transmitted.
Radiation damage are classified as: Acute effects that occur within one or two months after
exposure to radiation. and Delayed or long-term effects that appear in months or years. ex.
Leukemia and formation of cancer tumors The Extent of radiation damage is determined by:
dose level, degree of exposure, organ sensitivity, time length . There are materials used to
detect radiation: Geiger counter, Film badge, Thermo luminescent dosimeter or TLD.