1. Infra-red waves
1.1. Properties
1.1.1. longer wavelength: 1.00mm to 8 x 10 (power) -7
1.1.2. many molecules vibrate easily when exposed to IR radiation
1.1.3. Sun emits half its radiation in the IR
1.2. USes
1.2.1. transmitting information E.g. TV remote controls
1.2.2. receiving signals E.g. satellites, telescopes
1.2.3. see beyond huge clouds of dust/gas (by telescopes)
1.2.4. view paintings that might have underdrawings
2. Visible light
2.1. Properties
2.1.1. only range of energies that human eyes can detect
2.1.2. Wavelength (nanometers)
2.1.2.1. Red: 700
2.1.2.2. Orange: 650-600
2.1.2.3. Yellow: 600-550
2.1.2.4. Green: 550-500
2.1.2.5. Blue: 500-450
2.1.2.6. Violet: 400
3. X-ray
3.1. Properties
3.1.1. highly energetic form of light, not visible to human light
3.1.2. ability to pass through many materials that absorb visible light
3.1.3. ability to knock electrons loose from their atoms
3.2. Uses
3.2.1. Medicine: see inside of body without invasive surgery.
3.2.1.1. X-rays don't pass through bones as they are much denser than the rest of the tissue
3.2.1.2. bones show up as light areas on the negative film, rest of the tissues show up as dark areas (due to their transparency)
4. Gamma ray
4.1. Properties
4.1.1. highest energy EM waves
4.1.2. very short wavelengths: 10(-11) to 10(-13) m
4.1.3. caused by radioactive decay/ produced by nuclear fusion
4.2. Uses
4.2.1. medicinal purposes: E.g. cancer treatments, focused gamma rays can be used to eliminate malignant cells
5. Radiowaves
5.1. Properties
5.1.1. longest wavelength
5.1.1.1. distance a radio wave travels in one second, in a vacuum, is 299,792,458 meters
5.1.1.2. 1m to 10m
5.1.2. smallest energy
5.2. Uses
5.2.1. entertainment e.g. AM FM radio
5.2.1.1. FM- 53-171 kHz
5.2.1.2. AM- 88-108 MHz
5.2.2. recreation e.g. remote control models
5.2.2.1. Frequency: 1-80 MHz
5.2.3. exploration of space e.g. radio telescope
5.2.3.1. uses FM signals to send out in space to record the distance of objects
5.2.4. exploration of earth
5.2.4.1. small, remote controlled submarines sent to depths of ocean with cameras
5.2.4.2. remote controlled robots on land sent into volcanoes/other hostile environments
5.2.5. communication e.g. walkie talkies
5.2.5.1. used by policemen, fishermen and the army
6. Microwaves
6.1. Properties
6.1.1. wavelength range: 3.0cm to 1.0mm
6.2. Uses
6.2.1. Heating up food
6.2.1.1. microwave incident on a water molecule --> molecule will rotate since it is polar and wants to align itself with the incoming magnetic field
6.2.1.2. water in microwaves has enough energy that makes water in rotational state --> heat is created and water evaporates
6.2.2. communication
6.2.2.1. television satellites and dishes operate in the microwave region
6.2.2.2. mobile phones use microwaves to talk to each other around the world
7. Ultraviolet
7.1. Properties
7.1.1. wavelength range: 400 to 1 nanometers
7.1.2. overdose causes skin to brown
7.1.3. ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation absorbed by the sun (due to small wavelength)
7.1.4. can damage the eye/destroy plants
7.2. Uses
7.2.1. Koi pond UV steriliser to kill micro-organisms in water
7.2.2. UV disinfection in hospitals and in water purification