Edexcel IGCSE Physics - The Electromagnetic Spectrum

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

all the forms of electromagnetic radiation

what are the types of electromagnetic radiation categorized by?

roughly by frequency

what speed does electromagnetic radiation travel at?

3x10^8 m/s - speed of light in a vacuum

what is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum and what is it in terms of?

Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared Radiation, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Gamma Waves - by increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength

Use of radio waves

Broadcasting and communications

Use of microwaves

Cooking and satellite transmissions

Use of infrared radiation

Heaters and night vision equipment

Use of visible light

Optical fibres and photography (and seeing)

Uses of ultraviolet radiation

Fluorescent lights, security pens, tanning salons

Uses of X-Rays

Observing the internal structure of objects and materials and medical applications

Uses of gamma rays

Cancer radiation treatments and sterilising food and medical equipement

Dangers of Microwaves

Internal heating of body tissue

Dangers of infrared radiation

skin burns/skin cancer (increased risk of)

Dangers of X-rays

cancer and ionisation of cells

Dangers of gamma rays

cancer and mutations and ionisation of cellsy

Dangers of visible light

damage to the retina

Protections against microwaves

limited exposure to the one frequency that can do it

Protections against infrared radiation

limited exposure, suncream

Protections against ultra violet radiation

limited exposure, protective creams

Protections against X-Rays and Gamma rays

limited exposure, monitoring ionising radiation, keep at a distance (leave room/behind wall)