Waves - Electromagnetic waves

Question 1

what family are electromagnetic waves in

Answer 1

the electromagnetic spectrum

Question 2

what properties do electromagnetic waves have

Answer 2

• can travel in a vacuum
• travel at the same speed in a vacuum
• are transverse waves

Question 3

what properties do electromagnetic waves have that are also common to all types of wave

Answer 3

• carry energy
• can be reflected
• can be refracted

Question 4

write a list of members of the electromagnetic spectrum arranged in order of increasing wavelength (decreasing frequency)

Answer 4

Gamma rays
X-rays
Ultraviolet
Visible light
Infrared
Microwaves
Radio waves

Question 5

whats the danger of a gamma ray and X-rays

Answer 5

Can cause cancer by disrupting DNA in body
cells and causing mutations and cancer

Question 6

whats the danger of a ultraviolet light

Answer 6

Can damage skin cells and cause skin cancer

Question 7

whats the danger of a visible light

Answer 7

intense visible light cause permanent or
temporary blindness (e.g snow-blindness)
damage to the eyes

Question 8

whats the danger of infrared light

Answer 8

IR is felt as heat and can cause burns

Question 9

whats the danger of microwaves

Answer 9

Internal heating of body tissues. Microwaves
are also linked with eye cataracts

Question 10

whats the danger of radio waves

Answer 10

large doses of radio waves are believed to cause cancer, leukaemia and other disorders and some people claim that very low-frequency radio waves from overhead power cables near their home has affected their health