Applications of Electromagnetic Radiation

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Applications of electromagnetic radiation

1- Describe the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.


The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is name that scientists give to a number of different
radiations. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes. These radiations are
used in our daily lives, radiations like visible light that comes from a lamp to our house or
radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation.

Visible light

Electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths which the


human eye can see. We perceive this radiation as
colors ranging from red (longer wavelengths; ~ 700
nanometers) to violet (shorter wavelengths; ~400
nanometers.)

Radio waves

Electromagnetic radiation which has the


lowest frequency, the longest wavelength, and
is produced by charged particles moving back and
forth; the atmosphere of the Earth is
transparent to radio waves with wavelengths
from a few millimeters to about twenty meters.

This schematic diagram shows three possible


paths that radio waves might take when they
encounter Earth's ionosphere. The ionosphere is
a set of ionized layers in the upper portions of
the atmosphere that span the altitude range
between about 75 and several hundred
kilometers above Earth's surface. Radio
pulses travel more slowly within the ionosphere than in free space, and can be reflected
from certain layers, depending on the radio wave frequency, ionosphere height, and angle
of incidence.

Microwave

Electromagnetic radiation which has a


longer wavelength (between 1 mm and 30
cm) than visible light. Microwaves can be
used to study the Universe, communicate
with satellites in Earth orbit, and cook
popcorn etc.

Infrared

Electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths longer than the red end of visible light and
shorter than microwaves (roughly between 1 and 100 microns). Almost none of the
infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum can reach the surface of the Earth,
although some portions can be observed by high-altitude aircraft (such as the Kuiper
Observatory) or telescopes on high mountaintops.

Ultraviolet

Electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths


shorter than the violet end of visible light; the
atmosphere of the Earth effectively blocks the
transmission of most ultraviolet light.

The amount of UV radiation reaching the


earth's surface depends on the distance it travels
through the atmosphere. During morning hours,
UV radiation must travel through more of the
earth's atmosphere because the sun is lower on the horizon. At noon the rays travel a
shorter distance through the atmosphere because the sun is more directly overhead.
X-ray

Electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength and very high-energy;


X-rays have shorter wavelengths than ultraviolet light but longer
wavelengths than gamma rays.

Gamma ray

The highest energy, shortest wavelength electromagnetic radiations. Usually, they are
thought of as any photons having energies greater than about 100 keV. (It's "gamma-ray"
when used as an adjective.)

2- Identify which electromagnetic radiation is used and analyses in


term of properties its suability

Application Use
Crystallography Macromolecular Crystallography is a technique used to study
biological molecules such as proteins, viruses and nucleic acids
(RNA and DNA) to a resolution higher than ~5 ‫إ‬. This high resolution
helps elucidate the detailed mechanism by which these
macromolecules carry out their functions in living cells and
organisms.
Radar Radar, like sonar and seismology, uses a man-made pulse of
radio energy to map distance based on the length of time it takes
the pulse to return from the source. Radar (short for "Radio
Detection and Ranging"), which can be airborne or spaceborne,
has greatly changed the way we see the land and ocean surfaces.
Radar is based on the principle of sending very long wavelength
radiation (called microwaves) from an antenna, and then detecting
that energy after it bounces off a remote target. The wavelength of
the microwave, its polarization (vertical or horizontal orientation)
and strength can be controlled at the source and measured when
it returns. Many common land-cover types and materials affect the
polarity and strength of the radar return differently, which helps in
their identification.
Fiber optic Fiber optics technology is based on small transparent, usually
communication glass, fibers that are wire thin and able to transfer data via beams
of light. One of the great advancements of the modern era, fiber
optics gain a great advantage in speed compared to traditional
wiring when transferring complex data like images. There is an
entire branch of engineering devoted to the study and development
of fiber optics. Telecommunications and networking can rely on
fiber optics, the advantages being low data loss over long
distances, and a high capacity transmission.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, fiber optics cables have


high electrical resistance, are not affected by electromagnetic
fields, secure, and low weight. Even so, short distance
communications normally rely on electrical copper wiring due to
its much lower cost, ease of use, and ability to carry a current.
Other uses of fiber optics include medical imaging and as sensory
tools.
Preservation of
food

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