Wave Spectrum
What is dangerous for you from top to bottom!
Radio Waves (Safe)
Definition
-Radio waves are made by various types of transmitter, depending on the wavelength. They are also given off by stars, sparks and lightning, which is why you hear interference on your radio in a thunderstorm.
Uses
-Radio waves are the lowest frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, and are used mainly for communications.
Frequency
-Low
What the wave is for
-Police radios
-Television transmissions
Microwaves (Safe)
-Microwaves are basically extremely high frequency radio waves, and are made by various types of transmitter.
In a mobile phone, they're made by a transmitter chip and an antenna, in a microwave oven they're made by a "magnetron".
Their wavelength is usually a couple of centimeters. Stars also give off microwaves.
Uses
-Cooking
-Using Mobile Phones
-Radar
-Speed Cameras
Dangers
-Cataracts (which prevents you from seeing clearly)
-Mobile phones can affect parts of your brain
Frequency
-Low
Description
-This wave is being used everyday and all around you for signals and you use your laptop and mobile device probably too.
Infra Red (Safe)
-Infra red waves are just below visible red light in the electromagnetic spectrum ("Infra" means "below").
You probably think of Infra-red waves as heat, because they're given off by hot objects, and you can feel them as warmth on your skin.
Infra Red waves are also given off by stars, lamps, flames and anything else that's warm - including you.
The detector on this security light picks up the Infra red radiation from your body.
Uses
-remote controls for TVs
-heal sports injuries
-night sights (for weapons)
-alarm systems
Dangers
-overheating
Frequency
-Low
Visible Light (Getting Dangours)
-Our eyes can detect only a tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum, called visible light.
This means that there's a great deal happening around us that we're simply not aware of, unless we have instruments to detect it.
Light waves are given off by anything that's hot enough to glow.
This is how light bulbs work - an electric current heats the lamp filament to around 3,000 degrees, and it glows white-hot.
The surface of the Sun is around 5,600 degrees, and it gives off a great deal of light.
Uses
-DVD Players
-Compact Disc
-Laser Printers
-Weapon Aiming System
Dangers
-Too much light can damage the retina in your eye
Frequency
-Medium Frequency
Ultra Violet (Dangerous)
- Ultra-Violet light is made by special lamps, for example, on sun beds. It is given off by the Sun in large quantities. We call it "UV" for short. Ultra-Violet light is made by special lamps, for example, on sun beds. It is given off by the Sun in large quantities. We call it "UV" for short.
Uses
-Sun tan
-Detecting forged bank notes
Dangers
-Damage the retina
-Sunburn
-Skin cancer
Frequency
-High
X-Ray (Dangerous)
-X-rays are very high frequency waves, and carry a lot of energy. They will pass through most substances, and this makes them useful in medicine and industry to see inside things.
X-rays are given off by stars, and strongly by some types of nebula.
An X-ray machine works by firing a beam of electrons at a "target". If we fire the electrons with enough energy, X-rays will be produced.
Uses
-See inside people
-Airport Security
-Astronomers
Dangers
-Cell damage
-Cancer
Frequency
-High
Gamma Rays (Most Dangerous)
-Gamma rays are given off by stars, and by some radioactive substances.
They are extremely high frequency waves, and carry a large amount of energy.
They pass through most materials, and are quite difficult to stop - you need lead or concrete in order to block them out.
Uses
-Kill cancer cells
-Radiotherapy
-Targeted radiotherapy
Dangers
-Cell Damage
-Mutations
Frequency
-Highest