Topic Summaries

Applications of EM waves

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Charge, current, and electric fields

Pressure

Light, colour, and ray diagrams

Wave Key property Use
Radio Can travel long distances and reflect off the ionosphere. TV and radio signals
Microwaves Can easily travel through the Earth’s atmosphere. Satellite communication
Microwaves Absorbed by water to cause heating. Cooking
Infrared Emitted by warm bodies. Heaters, cooking and infrared cameras
Visible light Travels at high speed in glass. Optical fibres
Ultraviolet Absorbed by some materials and re-emitted as visible light. Energy efficient lamps
Ultraviolet Reacts with pigments in skin. Tanning
Gamma Penetrates skin/tissue, emitted by tracers. Medical imaging
X-ray Penetrates skin/tissue but absorbed by bone.
Gamma/ X-ray Damages and kills cancer cells. Medical treatments

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