6.4.3
Infrared, Microwave & Radio Waves
Infrared Radiation
Infrared Radiation
Infrared (or infra-red) radiation is one type of wave on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Uses
Uses
- Infra-red radiation is used in TV controls.
- Infra-red can also be used for security purposes, such as in intruder alarms by detecting body heat.
Risks
Risks
- Infra-red radiation can cause serious skin burns if emitted from high-intensity sources.
Explanation
Explanation
- The frequency is high enough to excite particles in food. This increases their temperature.
- Infra-red cameras can detect a range of frequencies. These frequencies can be shown in different colours to depict images.
Microwaves
Microwaves
Microwaves are the 6th type of wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Uses
Uses
- Microwaves are used for the purpose of satellite communications (transmitting signals between stations on Earth and satellites).
- Microwaves are also used to transmit signal from a nearby phone mast (transmitter) to a mobile phone.
- Microwaves are absorbed by water, heating up the water in the process. This makes microwaves useful for cooking food because food contains lots of water.
Risks
Risks
- Because humans are largely made up of water, exposure to microwaves could have a harmful effect.
Safety
Safety
- We should always reduce any exposure to microwaves.
- As with X-rays, always have some sort of shielding between the source of microwaves and living tissue.
- An example of this is the protective shielding on microwave ovens.
Explanation
Explanation
- Microwaves have a high enough frequency to penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere and to reach satellites.
- Microwaves travel in straight lines through the atmosphere. This makes them good for transmitting (sending) signals.
Radio Waves
Radio Waves
Radio waves are used for radio and TV communications.
Uses
Uses
- Radio waves are used for radio and TV communications.
Risks
Risks
- At high intensities, radio waves can cause internal heating of living tissue with potentially harmful effects.
Explanation
Explanation
- Because radio waves have long wavelengths, they can be transmitted (sent) around the Earth’s surface and around buildings without interference.
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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