6.4.2
Gamma, X-Ray & UV Light
Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays
Gamma rays carry the most energy of all electromagnetic waves.
Uses
Uses
- Gamma rays are used for medical imaging and therapy, astronomy, sterilisation and food preservation.
Risks
Risks
- Gamma rays are extremely penetrating and damaging to living tissues and cells.
Explanation
Explanation
- Gamma rays carry the most energy. We can use gamma rays to destroy bacteria and tumours.
X-rays
X-rays
X-rays carry the second most energy of all the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Uses
Uses
- Low-energy X-rays are used for medical and industrial imaging.
- High-energy X-rays are used to treat cancer.
- X-rays are also used for security purposes to detect weapons in airports (and other places).
Risks
Risks
- X-rays are highly ionising (can damage body cells), even in low doses.
Safety precautions
Safety precautions
- Due to the dangerous nature of X-rays, exposure to X-rays should always be kept to a minimum.
- People working with X-ray equipment should always shield themselves to prevent exposure to X-rays.
- These people will place materials (metals like lead) between themselves and the X-rays.
Explanation
Explanation
- X-rays penetrate soft materials (like body tissue).
- Bones are dense materials that absorb X-rays. We can use X-rays to build a shaded image of bones and body tissue.
Ultraviolet Light
Ultraviolet Light
Ultraviolet light is between X-rays and visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Uses
Uses
- Ultraviolet light is used in medical and forensic photography, air purification, disinfection and medical therapy.
- Ultraviolet light can also be used to detect fake bank notes.
Risks
Risks
- Exposure to too much ultraviolet light can cause skin burns, skin cancer and cataract formations in the eye.
Explanation
Explanation
- In lamps, UV photons excite (gives energy to) atoms. The atoms then release visible light.
- In sun tanning, UV excites (gives energy to) skin cells. The skin cells then change colour.
1Energy
1.1Energy Changes
1.1.1Energy Stores
1.1.2Calculating Changes in Energy
1.1.3Changes in Kinetic Energy - Calculations
1.1.4Changes in GPE - Calculations
1.1.5Changes in EPE - Calculations
1.1.6Energy Transfers
1.1.7Mechanical Work Done
1.1.8Mechanical Work - Calculations
1.1.9Electrical Work Done
1.1.10Electrical Work Done- Calculations
1.2Energy Losses & Efficiency
2Electricity
2.1Electric Charge
2.2Resistance & Electrical Work
2.3Electric Circuits
2.4Electricity in Homes
2.5Static Electricity
3Particle Model of Matter
3.1States of Matter
3.2Heat
4Atoms & Radiation
4.1Atoms
4.2Radiation
4.2.1Radioactive Decay
4.2.2Radioactive Decay 2
4.2.3Types of Radioactive Emission
4.2.4Fission & Fusion
4.2.5Radioactive Decay Equations
4.2.6Radio. decay equations - Calculations
4.2.7Half Lives & Ionising Radiation
4.2.8Half Life - Calculations
4.2.9Uses & Dangers of Radiation
4.2.10Uses & Dangers of Radiation 2
4.2.11End of Topic Test - Atoms & Radiation
4.2.12Grade 9 - Radiation
4.2.13Exam-Style Questions - Radioactive Decay
5Forces
5.1Basics of Motion
5.2Forces
5.2.1Gravity
5.2.2Gravity - Calculations
5.2.3Resultant Forces
5.2.4Newton Second Law - Calculations
5.2.5Force Diagrams
5.2.6Free Body Diagrams - Calculations
5.2.7Stretching a Spring
5.2.8Hooke's Law
5.2.9Hooke's Law - Calculations
5.2.10Elastic Potential Energy
5.2.11Elastic Potential - Calculations
5.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy
5.3Effects of Forces
6Waves
6.1Wave Basics
6.2Waves at a Boundary
6.3Sound Waves
6.4Electromagnetic Waves
7Magnetism
7.1Magnetism Basics
7.2Electromagnetism
Jump to other topics
1Energy
1.1Energy Changes
1.1.1Energy Stores
1.1.2Calculating Changes in Energy
1.1.3Changes in Kinetic Energy - Calculations
1.1.4Changes in GPE - Calculations
1.1.5Changes in EPE - Calculations
1.1.6Energy Transfers
1.1.7Mechanical Work Done
1.1.8Mechanical Work - Calculations
1.1.9Electrical Work Done
1.1.10Electrical Work Done- Calculations
1.2Energy Losses & Efficiency
2Electricity
2.1Electric Charge
2.2Resistance & Electrical Work
2.3Electric Circuits
2.4Electricity in Homes
2.5Static Electricity
3Particle Model of Matter
3.1States of Matter
3.2Heat
4Atoms & Radiation
4.1Atoms
4.2Radiation
4.2.1Radioactive Decay
4.2.2Radioactive Decay 2
4.2.3Types of Radioactive Emission
4.2.4Fission & Fusion
4.2.5Radioactive Decay Equations
4.2.6Radio. decay equations - Calculations
4.2.7Half Lives & Ionising Radiation
4.2.8Half Life - Calculations
4.2.9Uses & Dangers of Radiation
4.2.10Uses & Dangers of Radiation 2
4.2.11End of Topic Test - Atoms & Radiation
4.2.12Grade 9 - Radiation
4.2.13Exam-Style Questions - Radioactive Decay
5Forces
5.1Basics of Motion
5.2Forces
5.2.1Gravity
5.2.2Gravity - Calculations
5.2.3Resultant Forces
5.2.4Newton Second Law - Calculations
5.2.5Force Diagrams
5.2.6Free Body Diagrams - Calculations
5.2.7Stretching a Spring
5.2.8Hooke's Law
5.2.9Hooke's Law - Calculations
5.2.10Elastic Potential Energy
5.2.11Elastic Potential - Calculations
5.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy
5.3Effects of Forces
6Waves
6.1Wave Basics
6.2Waves at a Boundary
6.3Sound Waves
6.4Electromagnetic Waves
7Magnetism
7.1Magnetism Basics
7.2Electromagnetism
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