Practical Applications

and Effects of
Electromagnetic Waves
WAV E E Q U AT I O N
WAV E E Q U AT I O N
 WAV E E Q U AT I O N

Problem Solving. Determine the frequency of

electromagnetic radiation which would have a
wavelength of 7.98 x 10-7 m. What part of the
electromagnetic spectrum does this fall?
 RADIO WAVES
 Radio waves are EM waves
found at the left end of EM
spectrum
 It is a type of EM wave with the
longest wavelength but it has the
lowest frequency thereby
carrying the lowest energy
among the EM waves.
 Radio and Television

Radio and television signals

are radio waves that are
produced by making electrons
vibrate. It has a long wavelength
capable of transmitting sound
and picture information over
 RADIO WAVES
 Antennae of a radio detects radio waves.
 Radio waves are low frequency EM
waves with wavelengths longer than
1mm.
 They are used to transmit sound and
picture information over long distances.
 they are used in radio and television
communications
 MRI
(MAGNETIC RESONACE IMAGING)
It is a medical imaging technique that uses
powerful magnets, computer and radio waves
to make detailed pictures inside your body.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
It is a space-based navigation system that
provides geographical position and time
information anywhere on or near the earth. It
communicates with stations on the ground using
radio waves.
 MICROWAVES
A type of Electro magnetic
wave which has a shorter
wavelength than radio
waves but longer than
Infrared. It has a higher
frequency than radio waves
but lower frequency than
Infrared.
 Used in cooking
Microwave ovens

The microwaves in a
microwave oven penetrate
and agitate the water
molecules within the food.
Thus, they create molecular
friction which produces heat
that will cook the food.
Communications Satellites
Microwaves are used in
satellite communications
because it can penetrate the
earth’s atmosphere.
Microwave’s signals are
transmitted by an antenna to
a satellite which amplifies
and retransmits the signal to
an antenna in other parts of
the world. This is how we
communicate even from afar.
 Mobile phones use microwave energy
 Cell phones and cordless telephones are
transceivers, device that transmits one
signal & receives another radio signal from
a base unit.
 You can talk and listen at the same time
because the two signals are at different
frequencies.

A cell phone is a radio transmitter

and receiver that uses
microwaves. Cellular phones
depend on overlapping network
of cells. Each cell has its tower
that receives and sends
 RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging)

RADAR (Radio Detection

and Ranging) is a
detection system used to
determine the range,
angle or velocity of
objects. It can be used to
detect aircraft, ships,
and the like.
 INFRARED RAYS
A type of Electro magnetic wave which has a shorter
wavelength than Microwaves but longer than Visible lights.
It has a higher frequency than microwaves but lower
frequency than visible lights.
Thermal imaging through infrared scanners
Infrared scanner such as thermal imaging and
thermal scanner are used to show the
temperature variation of the body. Our body
radiates infrared and under infrared cameras,
our images appear in a variety of colors. The
differences in color determine the differences in
temperature. For example, shades of blue and
green indicate regions of colder temperature;
and red and yellow indicate warmer
temperature.
Remote control (IR remote) Autofocus cameras
uses LED lights to transmit some autofocus
signals to control devices. It
emits pulses of invisible cameras have
infrared light. transmitter that sends
out infrared pulses

Night vision goggles

use thermal imaging
technology to capture
the infrared light being
emitted as heat by
objects in the field of
view.

computers (mouse, keyboards, printers)

 

INFRARED RAYS
...is also used in the following devices:
Augmented communication devices
car locking system
emergency response system
headphones
home security system
navigation system
signages
telephones
some toys
 VISIBLE LIGHT
Wavelengths range from 700 nm (red
light) to 30 nm (violet light) with
frequencies higher than infrared
waves.
These are the only waves in the
EM spectrum that can be seen.

Light from the sun looks white, but it is really made up of all the
colors of the rainbow. A prism is a specially shaped crystal. When
white light shines through a prism, the light is separated into all its
colors.
 VISIBLE LIGHT
enable the human eye to
see objects
enables photographs to be
taken
it causes photosynthesis
in green plants
LASER lights are widely
used in medicine
engineering and
telecommunications
 ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
It is a type of electromagnetic wave which
found just after the color red in the visible
light spectrum.
Wavelengths range from 400 nm to 10 nm;
the frequency (and therefore the energy) is
high enough with UV rays to penetrate living
cells and cause them damage.
Although we cannot see UV light, bees,
bats, butterflies, some small rodents and
birds can!
 ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
Three types of UV rays

Within the ultraviolet radiation spectrum, we have classified the

UV rays into three types:

UVA Rays
These rays can damage the skins’ DNA and also cause skin
aging. They play a role in some skin cancers. The American
Cancer Society says that most tanning beds give off large
quantities of UVA.

UVB Rays
UVB rays have marginally more energy than UVA rays. They are
the main cause of sunburn. Scientists believe they also cause
most skin cancers.

UVC Rays
UVC rays have the most energy. However, they do not get
through our atmosphere. We do not associate them with skin
cancer risk.
 ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
• Used to kill bacteria.
(Sterilizationof equipment)
• used by banks to check the
signature on a passbook.
• Too much can cause skin cancer.
• Use sun block to protect against
(UV rays)
• Causes your skin to produce
vitamin D (good for teeth and
bones)
• Use to sterilize water in drinking
fountains
 X- RAYS
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic
radiation which has a shorter wavelength than
UV rays and higher frequency than UV rays. X-
ray photons are highly energetic and have
enough energy to break up molecules and hence
damage living cells. When X-rays hit a material
some are absorbed and others pass through.

 Bones and teeth absorb x-

rays. (The light part of an x-
ray image indicates a place
where the x-ray was
absorbed)
X-Rays: Wavelengths from 10 nm to .001 nm. These rays have enough
energy to penetrate deep into tissues and cause damage to cells; are
stopped by dense materials, such as bone.

Used to look at solid structures, such as bones and bridges (for cracks), and for
treatment of cancer.
X-rays are produced using an X-ray tube. They are emitted when
fast moving electrons hit a metal target. Long wavelength X-rays
can penetrate the flesh but not the bones that’s why it is used in
diagnosing bone fractures.
 Used by engineers to check for
tiny cracks in structures.
The rays pass through the
X- RAYS
cracks and the cracks appear
dark on film.
 Too much exposure to x-
rays can cause cancer
(lead vest at dentist protects
organs from unnecessary
exposure)  Airport security scanner
The short wavelength X-rays
can penetrate through
metals which can be used in
airport security scanner.
 GAMMA RAYS
Gamma Rays: Carry the most energy and have
the shortest wavelength, but highest frequency.
Gamma rays have enough energy to go
through most materials easily; you would
need a 3-4 ft thick concrete wall to stop them!
Gamma rays are released by nuclear reactions
in nuclear power plants, by nuclear bombs,
and by naturally occurring elements on Earth.
Sometimes used in the treatment of cancers.
Gamma rays may harm the environment thru
radioactive pollution
GAMMA RAYS
 Treat tumors and cancer through
the process called radiotherapy.
The high-energy rays of gamma destroys
cancer cells in the area where it is given.
Gamma rays sterilize surgical
instruments because they easily
penetrate through materials and the
energy they release kills bacteria and
other microorganisms.
 GAMMA RAYS
• Used in radiation treatment
to kill cancer cells through
the process of radiotherapy
• Can be very harmful if not
used correctly.
• Exploding nuclear weapons
emit gamma rays.
• The Incredible Hulk was the
victim of gamma radiation.