SM Sains Muzaffar Syah

6.7

Describe the electromagnetic spectrum

l------------Radio waves--------l

low frequency high frequency

high wavelength low wavelength

What is the  It consists of a group of waves with similar natures.

electro-  The members of the electromagnetic spectrum arranged in increasing
magnetic frequencies and decreasing wavelengths are radio waves, microwaves,
spectrum? infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X – rays and gamma rays.
 Radio waves have the longest ____________ but are of low _________ waves.
They carry very little energy.
 __________ _______ have the shortest wavelength but are of high frequency
waves. They carry very high energy.

 It is produced when _________ and ___________ field vibrate at right angle to

What is the each other.
electro-  The direction of propagation of the wave is ____________ to both fields.
magnetic
wave?

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State the  Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. Light can
visible light is a be seen as the colours of rainbow.
part of the  Each colour has a different wavelength.
electro-  Red has the __________ wavelength and __________ the shortest.
magnetic  When all the waves are seen together, they make _______ light.
spectrum  When white light shines through a prism, the white light is broken apart into
the seven colours of the visible light spectrum.
 Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Describe the 1. They transfer ____________ from one point to another.

properties of
2. They are _____________ waves.
electro-
magnetic 3. They can travel through ____________.
waves
4. They travel at the _________ speed through vacuum, i.e at the speed of
8 -1
light , c = 3 x 10 ms .
5. They all show wave properties such as _______________________
_________________________________________________________
6. They obey the wave equation, ________.

List sources of electro-magnetic waves and the applications.

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Gamma Rays Radioactive  Engineering – to detect leakages in underground pipes
substances  Medicine – cancer treatment
 Food sterilization

X- rays x-ray tube  Medicine

i. X-ray photograph of the internal organs of the body,
e.g to locate bone fracture.
ii. Cancer treatment
 Engineering – to detect cracks in metal
 Checking of luggage at airports

Ultraviolet rays The sun,  Cause sunburn

mercury vapour  Stimulates the formation of vitamin D needed for
lamp. assimilation of calcium and the prevention of rickets.
 Detect fake notes
 Fluorescent lamp
 Sterilization of surgical tools and plant seedlings.

Visible light Flames, lamps,  Visual communication

the sun  Photography
 Photosynthesis
Infrared radiation Hot objects  A sensation of warmth is felt when IR falls on the skin.
such as flames,  Thermal imaging and physiotherapy
the human  Infrared binoculars for night time vision. IR radiation
body, the sun emitted by a living thing can be detected.
 Remote control for TV / VCR

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SM Sains Muzaffar Syah

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Microwaves Radar  Communication system with satellites
transmitter  Used in radar system
Microwaves  Cooking
oven  Cellular (mobile) phone service
Radio waves Electrons  For broadcasting and wireless communication
oscillating in  UHF (ultra high frequency) radio waves – television and
aerials hand phones
Radio/  VHF (very high frequency) radio wave – local radio FM
television and wireless communication used by the police
transmitter

Describe the detrimental effects of excessive exposure to certain components of the

electromagnetic spectrum.

Radio waves Harm body cells, prevalence of migraine, headache disorders

Microwaves Internal heating of body tissues when they enter our body.
Long exposure to mobile phones can cause brain tumor and inner
ear complications in children. Just SMS.
Infrared Skin burns

Ultraviolet Damage to the surface cells (including skin cancer) and blindness
X-rays Damage to cells.
Gamma rays Cancer, mutation
The mutated cells may result in the abnormal growth of cancer cells.
Pregnant mothers who are exposed to X-rays and radiations too
frequently may cause abnormalities in new born babies.

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TUTORIAL 7 3. Which characteristic is the same for

the gamma rays, ultraviolet rays and
micro wave? (1997)
1. The diagram below shows a luggage A. velocity
scanning device used in an airport B. frequency
for security inspection of C. amplitude
passengers’ luggage. D. wavelength

4. Which of the following waves is the

longitudinal wave? (1992)
A. Infrared waves
B. Radio waves
C. Light waves
D. Sound waves

5. Which of the following is correct to

describe the difference between X-
ray and red light? (1990)
X-ray Red Light
A Longitudinal Transverse waves
waves
Which radiation is suitable for scanning B Has a very high Has a low velocity
the contents of the luggage? (2003) velocity
A. Infrared rays C Has a short Has a longer
B. Ultrasonic waves wavelength wavelength
C. Gamma rays D Can travel in Cannot travel in
D. X-rays vacuum vacuum

2. The diagram shows an 6. What is the characteristic which is

electromagnetic spectrum.
The waves at P, Q, R and S are
…..(2003)
common among radio waves,
infrared rays, X-rays and ultraviolet
rays?
A. All of them have the same
frequency.
B. All of them can be deflected by an
electric field.
C. All of them are dangerous to
humans
D. All of them travel at the same
speed through vacuum.

P Q R S 7. Which of the following statements is

A Ultra X- Mikro Infra true about electromagnet waves?
violet rays wave red (2007)
B X- Ultra Infra Mikro A. They are longitudinal waves
rays violet red wave B. They are waves that require a
C Mikro Infra Ultra X- medium to travel
wave red violet rays C. The velocity of the waves is
D X Infra Ultra Mikro influenced by the wavelength
rays red violet wave D. They consist of both magnetic
fields and electric fields.

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8.Diagram below shows a waves c. State two differences between

spectrum sound wave and electromagnetic
waves.

_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
(a) Name the possible wave _____________________________
spectrum.
_____________________________ d. The depletion of the ozone layer
had caused one electromagnetic
(b) Mark with F an area with highest wave to enter the earth at higher
frequency intensity which can caused skin
cancer. Name this wave.
(c) Mark with W an area with lowest
wavelength _____________________________
(d) Relate the relationship between e. Name the correct use of each
the energies, frequencies and the type of radiation
wavelengths
_____________________________ Application Electromagnet
_____________________________ Waves
Physiotherapy
treatment for
SPM 1993 cancer in
9. Diagram 2 shows a part of the hospitals.
electromagnetic spectrum. P and Q Satellite
represent two types of waves. communication
Visible Light

Micro Wave

Radio wave
Gamma ray

P Q
UltraViolet
Rays

a. Name the type of electromagnetic

wave in P and Q.

P : _______________________
Q : _______________________

b. Compare the speed of micro

waves with the speed of light in
vacuum.
__________________________

__________________________

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