Lesson Practical Applications and

1 Effects of Electromagnetic
Waves

What’s In

Can you still remember the different forms of Electromagnetic waves you
have learned from the previous module? While all these EM waves move through
space at the same speed of about three hundred (300) million meters per second,
their wavelengths, frequencies, and energies differ. This is the reason why they are
arranged accordingly in a scheme called Electromagnetic Spectrum.
Let me remind you that wavelength has an inverse relation with frequency and
energy. So, if wavelength increases, what will happen to the frequency of the wave?
If the wavelength of an EM wave decreases, what will be the effect in its energy?
Let’s compare the relative wavelengths, frequencies, and energies of the
different regions of the Electromagnetic spectrum.

Directions: On a separate sheet, answer the following activity. Look at the picture
below, write the name of the correct Electromagnetic wave corresponding to the
letters on the picture. You may refer your answer for numbers 1-7 from the box.

x-ray radio wave

1. A
2. B
3. C gamma ray microwave
4. D
5. E
6. F ultraviolet infrared visible light
7. G
8. What letter shows the lowest frequency?
9. What letter shows the shortest wavelength?
10. What letter shows the EM wave with the highest energy?
 Notes to the Teacher
The students should have mastery of the properties of
electromagnetic waves for them to relate the forms to the uses.

What’s New
 What is It

Study the tables below. Electromagnetic waves have practical applications

which depend greatly on their wavelength, frequency, and energy. Continue
reading and you will know more about them.

Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves

Radio Waves ● Radio/Television signals

Radio and television signals are radio waves that are
produced by making electrons vibrate. It has a long
wavelength capable of transmitting sound and picture
information over long distances.
● Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based
navigation system that provides geographical position and
time information anywhere on or near the earth. It
communicates with stations on the ground using radio
waves.
● Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
It is a medical imaging technique that uses powerful
magnets, computer and radio waves to make detailed
pictures inside your body.

Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves

Microwaves  Satellite communication

Microwaves are used in satellite communications
because it can penetrate the earth’s atmosphere.
Microwave’s signals are transmitted by an antenna to a
satellite which amplifies and retransmits the signal to an
antenna in other parts of the world. This is how we
communicate even from afar.
 Terrestrial communication
A cell phone is a radio transmitter and receiver that uses
microwaves. Cellular phones depend on overlapping
network of cells. Each cell has its tower that receives and
sends microwave signals.
 Cooking
The microwaves in a microwave oven penetrate and agitate
the water molecules within the food. Thus, they create
molecular friction which produces heat that will cook the
food.
  RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a detection
system used to determine the range, angle or velocity of
objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, and the
like.

Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves

Infrared (IR) ● Remote control (IR remote) uses LED lights to transmit
signals to control devices. It emits pulses of invisible
infrared light.
● Thermal imaging through infrared scanners
Infrared scanner such as thermal imaging and thermal
scanner are used to show the temperature variation of the
body. Our body radiates infrared and under infrared
cameras, our images appear in a variety of colors. The
differences in color determine the differences in
temperature. For example, shades of blue and green
indicate regions of colder temperature; and red and yellow
indicate warmer temperature.
● Night vision goggles use thermal imaging technology to
capture the infrared light being emitted as heat by objects
in the field of view.

Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves

Visible Light  Enables us to see things around us. It also gives light to
the screen of most electronic devices.
 Artificial Lights like flashlight, lamp etc. are any light
source that produce light instead of natural lights
produced by the sun.
 Optical fibers
One use of optical fibers in medicine is endoscope, a
flexible tube with tiny camera that is used to observe the
internal parts of the body.

Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves
  Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunlight interact with a
Ultraviolet (UV) protein (7-DHC) in the skin, converting it into vitamin D3,
the active form of vitamin D, which is essential for
maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
 Security markings
Sensitive documents such as credit cards, banknotes, and
passports include a UV watermark that is only seen
under UV emitting light.
 Sterilization of water in drinking fountains
Ultraviolet light disinfection is one water treatment system
that can be used to remove most forms of microbiological
contamination from water.
 Fluorescence
 Some washing powder contains fluorescent chemicals
which glow in sunlight. This makes your shirt look whiter
than white in daylight.

Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves
X-ray
 Diagnosing bone fractures
X-rays are produced using an X-ray tube. They are
emitted when fast moving electrons hit a metal target.
Long wavelength X-rays can penetrate the flesh but not
the bones that’s why it is used in diagnosing bone
fractures.
 Airport security scanner
The short wavelength X-rays can penetrate through
metals which can be used in airport security scanner.
 Electromagnetic
Practical Applications
Waves

Gamma Ray  Treat tumors and cancer through the process called
radiotherapy.
The high-energy rays of gamma destroys cancer cells in
the area where it is given.
Gamma rays sterilize surgical instruments because
they easily penetrate through materials and the energy
they release kills bacteria and other microorganisms.

Effects of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living things and the environment

From the practical applications of EM waves discussed above, we can

conclude that these waves are significant to us. But, even essential forms of
radiation can be harmful in excessive amount.
The effect of EM radiation on organisms and the environment depends on how
much energy it carries. Radiation can be non-ionizing and ionizing. Non-ionizing
radiation does not have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and
molecules.
Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light and ultraviolet are non-
ionizing radiation. We are exposed to low levels of non-ionizing radiation every
day. When the exposure is intense and direct, it may result in damage to tissue due
to heat. Right amount of non-ionizing radiation like UV rays maintain the proper
mechanism of ecosystem.
High-energy EM waves like x-rays and gamma rays are considered as ionizing
radiation. We are also exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation that comes from
the atmosphere. This means that the usual amount of ionizing radiation from
natural sources absorbed by our bodies is small.
Our main exposure to ionizing radiation comes from manmade sources
through the use of diagnostic medical exams. Excessive exposure to these
radiations can alter molecules within the cells and may cause eventual harm such
as skin or tissue damage, cancer and death.
When handled improperly, radioactive pollution may occur, where the air,
soil and water will be contaminated. This pollution may eventually makes its way
up to the food chain where all forms of life may be affected.
Assessment 1
Directions: Unscramble the letters to form the correct words and write the
appropriate word to complete the statements below on a separate sheet.
1. EM wave that can be seen by human eye is the . ISVIELB HGLIT
2. is the only source of natural white light. UNS
3. Rainbow is formed when light at different angles. FRRETACS
4. is one of the artificial lights we use at night. LBUB
5. In a rainbow, the color that bends the most is . IVLTOE
Assessment 2
Directions: Write ULTRA if the statement is correct, and VIOLET if not. If the
statement is incorrect, state reason or appropriately correct the statement.
1. Too much exposure to UV rays may increase the risk for skin cancer
and cataracts.
2. Sunscreens protect our skin so we can stay under the sun all day.
3. The higher the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in a sunscreen, the higher
the protection.
4. Sunglasses have UV coating that help block harmful rays from the sun.
5. It is good to avoid the sun entirely.
 What I Have Learned

Let’s sum up what you have learned. Choose the correct term from the
enclosed choices that should go into the blank spaces.
Radio/television signals, GPS and MRI are practical applications of (1)
(radio wave/microwave). Satellite communication, cooking,
terrestrial communication, and RADAR make use of (2)
(infrared/microwave). Remote controls, thermal imaging and night vision goggles are
practical applications of (3) (infrared/ultraviolet). You can see
things around you because of (4) (gamma rays/visible light) which
is also used in optical fibers, artificial lights and screens of electronic devices.
Vitamin D is produced from (5) (ultraviolet /microwave), which is also
used for security markings and sterilization of water in drinking fountains. In
diagnosing bone fractures, we use (6) (gamma rays/X-rays).
(7) (long wavelength X-ray)/short wavelength X-ray)) is a type of
x-ray that can penetrate the flesh while (8) (long wavelength X-
ray)/short wavelength X-ray)) can penetrate through metals. Treating tumors and
cancer through the process called radiotherapy and sterilizing medical equipment
are practical applications of (9) (gamma rays/ultraviolet). The effect
of Electromagnetic waves on organisms and environment depends on how much (10)
(wavelength, energy) it carries.
What I Can Do

A. On another sheet, copy the table below and for a day, list down your
exposure to the different forms of electromagnetic waves. Write the time duration of
exposure and your activity. Then identify the form of EM wave involved and the
source of that wave. An example was given as your guide.

Form of EM
Time Duration Activity Source
wave
Example:
9:00 AM – 10: 00 AM I watch my favorite TV show. Radio wave Television

B. Write a self-reflection related to your answer on the table above. Use the
following questions as guide.
What activity has the most radiation exposure over a long period of time? What
could be the possible negative effects of this exposure to you? How are you going to
minimize such effects?

Assessment

Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which pair of EM waves is commonly used for communication?

A. X-rays and infrared C. radio waves and gamma rays
B. radio waves and microwaves D. infrared and microwaves

2. Radio wave is useful in which of the following applications?

A. watching television C. sterilizing medical equipment
B. treating cancers D. sunbathing

3. All of the following made use of gamma rays except one. Which is it?
A. treating tumors
B. treating cancer through the process called radiotherapy
C. sterilization of water in drinking fountains
D. sterilization of medical equipment

4. Infrared waves is useful in which of the following applications?

A. remote control C. screen of electronic devices
B. television signal D. night vision goggles
5. Microwave is useful in which of the following applications?
A. remote control C. artificial lighting
B. cellphone communication D. sterilization

1. In visible light, which color has the longest wavelength?

A. red C. yellow
B. violet D. green

7. What form of wave makes your skin tan when exposed for a long period of time?
A. infrared rays C. radio waves
B. microwaves D. ultraviolet rays

8. Which of the following is not an application of visible light?

A. bulb C. cell phone screen
B. security markings D. flashlight

9. Which of the following is the correct meaning of the acronym GPS?

A. Guided Position Symbol C. Guided Positioning System
B. Global Positioning System D. Global Perimeter Scale

10. Colors in the infrared image depend on .

A. wavelength C. amplitude
B. frequency D. temperature

11. Which of the devices below can be used to detect aircrafts and ships?
A. RADAR C. GPS
B. MRI D. communication tower

12. What device uses thermal imaging technology to capture the light being emitted
as heat by objects in the field of view?
A. infrared camera C. fluorescent
B. remote control D. night vision goggles

13. Which of the EM waves below is used to remove most forms of microbiological
contamination from water?
A. infrared rays C. radio waves
B. microwaves D. ultraviolet rays

14. All of the following are dangerous waves when taken by the body in large amounts
except one. Which is it?
A. radio waves C. ultraviolet
B. gamma rays D. x-rays
15. How does the energy level changes from gamma ray to radio wave?
A. increases C. cannot be determined
B. decreases D. energy level does not change
 Additional Activities

A. Directions: The following are electromagnetic waves with their

applications. On another sheet, write the name of the device
which does not belong to the group.

1. Radio Waves
GPS MRI RADAR

2. Microwaves
Night vision Satellite Cooking
goggles

3. Visible spectrum
Artificial lights Diagnosing bone Optical Fibers
fracture
4. Ultraviolet (UV)
Fluorescence Cellphone signal Sterilization of water
in drinking fountain
5. Gamma rays
Radiotherapy Sterilization of Radio
medical tools