Applications of EM Waves Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

Give a use of radio waves and why they are suitable for it.

Television and radio broadcasting — they can be transmitted over long distances and are not strongly absorbed by the atmosphere.

Give two uses of microwaves and why they are suitable.

Satellite communications (they pass through the atmosphere) and cooking food (they are absorbed by water molecules in the food, heating it).

Give two uses of infrared radiation and why it is suitable.

Electric heaters, cooking food and infrared cameras — it is readily absorbed by surfaces, transferring energy and raising temperature, and is emitted by warm objects.

Give a use of visible light and why it is suitable.

Fibre optic communications (and photography) — visible light can be transmitted along glass fibres with little absorption.

Give two uses of ultraviolet waves.

Energy efficient lamps, sun tanning, detecting forged banknotes (security marking) and sterilising water or equipment by killing microbes.

Give a use of X-rays and a use of gamma rays in medicine.

X-rays: medical imaging of bones. Gamma rays: medical imaging (e.g. tracers/PET scans) and radiotherapy to treat cancer.