6.4.6

Microwaves

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Microwaves

Microwaves are the 6th type of wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.

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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.
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Risks

  • Because humans are largely made up of water, exposure to microwaves could have a harmful effect.
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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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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