Effects-of-EM-Radiation
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Title: ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION EFFECTS on LIVING THINGS & D ENVIRONMENT
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Page 3: Electromagnetic Radiation
Definition: Energy emitted from a body that is transmitted through a medium or space and absorbed by another body.
Page 4: Radiation Movement
Radiation moves through space as waves and particles.
Page 5: Sources of Natural/Background Radiation
Radioactive gas (radon) from uranium in soil.
Radioactive potassium present in food and water.
Elements like uranium, radium, and thorium in the earth's crust.
Cosmic rays and radiation from the sun.
Page 6: Sources of Manmade Radiation
Tobacco products.
Television emissions.
Medical x-rays.
Smoke detectors.
Lantern mantles.
Nuclear medicine applications.
Building materials.
Page 7: Non-Ionizing vs Ionizing Radiation
Non-Ionizing Radiation:
Longer wavelength, lower frequency, lower energy.
Used to carry signals (e.g., radio, TVs).
Ionizing Radiation:
High frequency, high energy.
Used in x-rays and certain cancer treatments like gamma rays.
Includes materials from nuclear power.
Page 8: Characteristics of Radiation Types
Non-Ionizing Radiation:
Lower energy, does not induce ionization in atoms.
Ionizing Radiation:
High energy, sufficient to remove electrons from atoms, inducing ionization.
Page 9: Ionization Process
Ionization: Process of forming ions from atoms or molecules through electron gain or loss.
Gaining electrons results in anions (negatively charged).
Losing electrons results in cations (positively charged).
Page 10: Difference Between Atom and Ion
Atom:
Electrically neutral, same number of protons and electrons.
Ion:
Electrically charged, different numbers of protons and electrons.
Page 11: Types of Radiation
Non-Ionizing Radiation:
Radio, infrared, ultraviolet (extremely low frequency).
Ionizing Radiation:
Microwave, x-ray, gamma rays.
Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation:
Induces low energy effects and damages (thermal, photo-chemical).
Page 12: Wavelength and Frequency Relationship
Non-Ionizing Radiation:
Increasing wavelength, decreasing frequency, low energy.
Ionizing Radiation:
Decreasing wavelength, increasing frequency, high energy.
Page 14: Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation
Excessive exposure to blue light can cause eye damage.
Lasers may cause blindness.
Intense sudden light can cause flash blindness.
Overexposure to UV can result in skin cancer and retinal damage.
Page 15: Thermal Effects
Tissue heating effects and photochemical reactions on skin and eyes.
Radio waves may interfere with pacemakers.
Microwaves can cause cataracts, and infrared exposure can lead to burns.
Page 16: Statistics on Ionizing Radiation
Approximately 88% of ionizing radiation exposure to humans is from natural sources.
12% from medical procedures.
Average exposure: 1000 microsieverts per year.
Page 17: Radiation Effects on Humans
Stochastic Effects:
Long-term, low-level exposure effects.
Non-Stochastic Effects:
High level exposure leading to severe effects.
Page 18: Immediate Effects of Ionizing Radiation
Possible outcomes include:
Death.
Radiation burns.
Molecular and DNA damage.
Page 19: Delayed Effects of Ionizing Radiation
Possible outcomes include:
Cancer.
Mutations affecting exposed individuals or their offspring (e.g., nuclear fallout exposure).
Page 20: EM Radiation and the Environment
Greenhouse Effect:
Result of increased atmospheric concentration due to human activity.
Leads to global warming from trapped infrared radiation.
Page 21: Ozone Layer and EM Radiation
High levels of UV disrupt sensitive organisms (e.g., plankton affected by decreased visible light hindering photosynthesis).
Electronics and AM signals can disrupt migratory birds' magnetic compass.
Page 23: References
Various YouTube links provided for further resources and readings.