Waves - 6.2.4 Uses and Applications of Electromagnetic Wave 2 (GCSE Physics AQA)

Uses and Applications of Electromagnetic Wave 2

Practical Applications of EM Waves

Radio Waves

• Radio waves can be used in TV and radio. As the name suggests, we use radio waves in TV and radio communications. Waves with a shorter wavelength will carry more information than waves with a longer wavelength, which is good for communications.

Microwaves

• Microwaves are used in cooking and communications. Microwaves are similar radio waves in the way that they are both used for some kind of communication. Microwaves tend to be sent from the Earth to satellites that are in space. This is useful, as it allows us to have phone and TV signals.

Infrared

• Infrared is used in heating, cooking and cameras. Infrared radiation is to do with heat. As this is the case, infrared radiation is very useful in cooking, as it can help with heating up food. Infrared radiation is also useful in home security systems, since it can be used in cameras. These cameras are able to detect body heat, which can trigger an alarm if an intruder enters.

Visible Light

• Visible light is used in communications. Visible light is also used in communications, like the radio waves and microwaves. They are often used in ‘fibre optic’ wires, since they can carry lots more information then microwaves and radio waves. This is because the wavelength of visible light is even shorter than that of microwaves and radio waves. As we mentioned before, the shorter the wavelength, the more information a wave can carry.

Ultraviolet

• UV are used in lamps and tanning. We have mentioned ultraviolet radiation before, in the context of the harmful effects of radiation. We know that UV rays can damage human tissue and cause cancer, but they can be used in UV lamps and tanning beds as a useful source of radiation.

X Rays and Gamma Rays

• X rays and gamma rays are used for imaging. Finally, X rays and gamma rays can be used for imaging. These are commonly used in the medical field in order to get a better view inside the human body., For example, if someone breaks their leg, a doctor can take an X ray to view the broken bone.