The Electromagnetic Spectrum by Heather Murray

Visible Light - Julia

2023-05-29 12:54:35 UTC

The visible light spectrum is the segment of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can view. More simply, this range of wavelengths is called visible light.

Visible light: Characteristics:

Visible light has wavelengths ranging from 400 to 700 nm and frequencies from 430 to 750 THz.
It is produced by sources like bulbs, fluorescent lamps, and LEDs.

Applications:

Photography

Pros: Abundance and accurate colour representation
Cons: Challenging in bad lighting

Fiber Optics

Pros: fast and efficient and provides a secure way of transmitting signals, making it harder for others to intercept or listen in.
Cons: Limited range and vulnerable to damage.

Gamma Rays

2023-05-29 12:56:20 UTC

Gamma Rays have the highest frequency of all the waves (10^-12<). They are the most far-right on the electromagnetic spectrum and have the most energy. They are able to pass through many solid objects, including the human body.

They can be released from radioactive materials such as uranium. They are also released from high-energy objects in space, such as black holes and neutron stars.

Applications:
- Gamma Rays can be used to treat cancer.
- They can also be used to sterilize and disinfect medical equipment.

Pros + Cons
Gamma Rays are potent, the radiation produced by them can cause cells to die or have their DNA altered or broken apart. This means they can be used to kill cancer and prevent it from spreading. However, when Gamma Rays pass through the body uncontrolled, they can disrupt the DNA of all the cells in their way. This can cause many serious health problems, such as cancer.

X-ray - Matthew P

2023-05-29 12:56:52 UTC

X-rays have very small wavelengths between 0.03 and 3 nanometers with the frequency ranging between 31019 and 31016 Hz. X-rays come from the electron clouds of atoms when there is a change in energy (from a higher level of energy to a lower one). X rays work through electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light, however it can pass through most objects unlike light allowing it to be used in things such as x ray scans.

X-rays can be used in a number of ways, many of which are medical including diagnosing injuries such as a broken limb, or to evaluate symptoms in the body. One of the pros of x-ray waves and tech is that it can be cheaper, and faster than other scans. X-rays also have lower radiation than other scans. However, there are some cons including potential long term risks from radiation exposure, specifically in children or those who get x-rays frequently. X-rays also may lack details when used for scans because it is only one image, not a bunch from different angles.

Links:
https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/what-is-radiation/ionising-radiation/x-ray#:~:text=An%20X%2Dray%20is%20a,excess%20energy%20to%20be%20released.

Radio Waves (Eli)

2023-05-29 12:57:26 UTC

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically with frequencies of 300 gigahertz (GHz) and below. At 300GHz, the corresponding wavelength is 1mm, which is shorter than a grain of rice. At 30Hz the corresponding wavelength is ~10,000 kilometres longer than the radius of the Earth.

Radio waves are most commonly used in television, FM, and AM radio broadcasts. Some pros of radio waves are they are transmitted easily through the air. They do not cause damage if absorbed by the human body, and they can be reflected and refracted to change their direction. Some cons are it has a low frequency so they can't send a lot of data at one time another con is that they can be easily disrupted by other radio waves or physical obstacles.

Microwaves--Matthew Chen

shengyichen — 2023-05-29 12:58:37 UTC

Microwaves have a wavelength of 1mm to 1m. They will be reflected by metal surface while passing through glass and plastics as well as the atmosphere.

Applications:
- Microwaves are useful when heating food, in this case, in a microwave oven, microwaves are produced and reflecting on the metal surface. The food will eventually absorb the microwaves and therefore, heating it. However, microwaves are not as effective on killing becteria and pathogens when cooking.
- Microwaves are also used in remote sensing. In this case, the sensor will detect for the microwave signals that were sent by the remote.

Ultraviolet - Eric W

2023-05-29 13:06:18 UTC

Ultrasounds are the sound waves having frequency greater than 20kHz.
In the air, the wavelength of ultraviolet is of the order of 1 cm.
Application:
1. We use UV disinfection lamp to clean the rooms.
2. We use it to distinguish the authenticity of the banknotes.
Pros + Cons:
It can help us disinfect the room, skin and can also help stimulate the body's production of vitamin D. But if we are exposed to too much ultraviolet light, our skins will get burned and it will also cause the skin cancer.