4-WAV-04

Outcomes

• Pupils can recall the different sections of the electromagnetic spectrum in order.
• Pupils can recall and explain the uses and dangers of each section of the EM spectrum.

Main Body of Lesson

Uses

• Radio - communication
• Microwave - communication, energy transfer (e.g. microwave oven, solar satellite)
• Infrared - thermal energy transfer, night vision
• Visible
• Ultraviolet - sterilisation, tanning,
• X-ray - medical (diagnosis), x-ray diffraction (crystallography)
• Gamma ray - sterilisation, medical (treatment)

Dangers

• Radio - negligible hazard
• Microwave - negligible hazard, internal heating
• Infrared - surface heating
• Visible
• Ultraviolet - blindness, sunburn
• X-ray - blindness, cancers (mutation)
• Gamma ray - blindness, cancers (mutation)

Additional Information

Resources Required

• EM spectrum circus