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SCIENCE
Quarter 2 – Module 5:
Effects of Electromagnetic Waves

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Self-Learning Module
 FOREWORD

In this self-learning kit, you will further discover the nature ,applications
as well as the effects of the members of the electromagnetic spectrum to various living
things which includes me, you , your pets as well as the different animals, the plants in
your neighbor’s garden as well as the totality of the environment these living things are
thriving.

When exploring the concepts and activities in this module, you will be introduced
to the particular concept in study, enable you to link the scientific concepts learned to
real-world scenarios. Furthermore, this will help you develop and communicate your
explanations to related phenomena observed in nature and of your surroundings. This,
in turn, will lead you to further inquiry and deeper understanding of the concepts in
hand. Generally, this will develop your critical-mindedness and reasoning skills.

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 Let’s take a peek…

In the previous learning modules, you were introduced to the nature and
characteristics of electromagnetic waves as well as their uses and applications in
different fields. Moreover, these electromagnetic waves are arranged according to
frequency and wavelength in an electromagnetic spectrum. The characteristics of
these waves made possible the evolution of devices and tools in the fields of
communication, medicine, and different aspects of everyday life.
Additionally, electromagnetic radiation consists of both electric and magnetic
fields. They are coming from natural and manmade sources. Electromagnetic waves
are present in some scenario of everyone’s life. Some of the most common sources of
electromagnetic fields that everybody experiences are the solar radiation, antennas for
telecommunications and the like. Artificial resources are used to generate high-level
electromagnetic radiations which may be typically found in medical devices such as
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-ray, CT scan and others.
Indeed, the discovery of electromagnetic waves, in no doubt, has improved the
way we deal with life’s activities. Though there is a long list of advantages when
utilizing these electromagnetic waves, we should also consider the various harmful
effects to living things and the environment we are living in.

What are expected to learn…

After going through this self-learning module, you are expected to:
• Describe the processes of transmission, reflection and absorption of
electromagnetic waves
• Explain how electromagnetic radiation affect living things and the
environment

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 Let’s Pre-assess…

Mix And Match. Connect the first shape (in Set A) containing the use of an
electromagnetic wave to the second shape (in Set B) with the name of the
corresponding EM wave, then, connect these to the third shape (in Set C) containing
the issues and effects of these waves.

Example:
Used in Gamma Cancer-
radiotherapy Ray causing

Set A:

Diagnose Bone Television Sterilization of

Fractures Broadcasting Water

Used in RADAR Remote Control

Optical Fibers
of Appliances

Set B:

Radio Infrared
Microwave
Wave

Visible Ultraviolet X-Ray

Light Ray

Set C:

Ozone Greenhouse Signal

Depletion Effect Interference

Light Pollution Too much Cancer-

in Urban Areas cellphone use causing

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 What you should know…

Transmission , Reflection and Absorption of EM Waves

What is the effect of an electromagnetic wave to a material when it is exposed
to it? If the material is transparent to a frequency, then the wave can largely be
transmitted. If the material is opaque to the frequency, then the wave can be totally
reflected. The wave can also be absorbed by the material, indicating that there is some
interaction between the wave and the material such as the increase of thermal energy
or the material’s temperature. It is also possible to have partial transmission, reflection,
and absorption. We normally associate these properties with visible light, but these
can be applied to all electromagnetic waves. What is not obvious is that something that
is transparent to light may be opaque at other frequencies. For instance, water is
transparent to visible light but generally opaque to ultraviolet radiation. Human skin is
opaque to visible light but transparent to X-rays.

Figure 1: Human skin is

opaque to visible
light but transparent
to X-rays.

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These reactions of materials when they are exposed to electromagnetic

radiation could have implications on humans and other living things as well as the
environment.

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 Let’s Check …

CAUTION
If you are pregnant or think
you might be pregnant, pls Why do you think this warning
inform the X-ray Technologist sign is placed on a clinic or
before having an X-ray hospital?
completed.

Effects of Electromagnetic Waves on Living Things

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitting from the natural environment such as
ultraviolet rays from the sun as well as from the use of industrial and everyday
appliances and gadgets like mobile phones, constantly influence the human body. The
effect of this type of energy on living tissues may exert various effects on their
functioning. The interactions between electromagnetic radiation and the living
organism would depend on the amount of the transmitted energy and type of tissue
exposed as well as the extent of exposure. This may lead to health implications and
other health hazards.

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Figure 2: Warning sign for X-ray Figure 3: Warning sign for Radio-
Radiation Hazard Frequency Radiation

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 However, not all effects of electromagnetic waves to living things are harmful.
For instance, microwaves are also used for heating within the human body.
Microwaves will penetrate more than shorter wavelengths into tissue and so can
accomplish “deep heating” or so-called microwave diathermy. This is used for treating
muscular pains, spasms and rheumatoid arthritis.
Plants and animals have evolved to utilize and respond to parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum they are embedded in. Visible light is the most predominant
and we enjoy the beauty of nature through visible light. Plants are more selective.
Photosynthesis makes use of parts of the visible spectrum to make sugars.
All UV radiation can damage collagen fibers, resulting in an acceleration of the
aging process of skin and the formation of wrinkles. Large exposures to UV radiation
can cause sunburn and even skin cancer. Besides these undesirable effects, there are
also benefits of exposure. Vitamin D production in the skin results from exposure to
UVB radiation, generally from sunlight.
X-rays have adverse effects on living cells similar to those of ultraviolet radiation
but they have the additional danger of being more penetrating, affecting more than the
surface layers of cells. Cancer and genetic defects can be induced by exposure to X-
rays. Because of their effect on cells, X-rays can also be used to treat and even cure
cancer.
Gamma rays have characteristics identical to X-rays of the same frequency, but
they differ in source. At higher frequencies, gamma rays are more penetrating and
more damaging to living tissue. They have many of the same uses as X-rays, including
cancer therapy. Gamma radiation from radioactive materials is used in nuclear
medicine.

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Figure 4: Plants harness visible light Figure 5: Sunburn on skin due to too
in photosynthesis much UV radiation exposure

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 What you will do…

Look for a news article depicting effects of electromagnetic wave

or radiation on humans or other living things. Cut out this article and
place it on a short bondpaper. Below it, write at least 5 sentences
regarding your reaction on the article chosen.

What you should know…

Effects of Electromagnetic Waves on the Environment

It should be realized that different types of electromagnetic radiation are

responsible for different types of phenomena occurring in the environment that can be
observed because of radiation exposure.
In the case of data gathering, astronomers and astrophysicists face problems
when collecting signals from outer space using electromagnetic waves, usually with
low-frequency radio waves. A common problem for them is the “pollution” from
electromagnetic radiation infiltrating our surroundings from communication systems in
general.
Electromagnetic waves have both beneficial and adverse effects to the
environment. For instance, the relatively constant temperature of the Earth is a result
of the energy balance between the incoming solar radiation, primarily UV radiation,
and the energy radiated from the Earth. However, anthropogenic activities, alter the
radiation scale and destroy this balance. The process of this balance is simply shown
in the comic strip below.

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 Now, that you have
read the comic strip,
do the activity below.

Activity No. 2

Answer the following questions.

1. What roles do electromagnetic waves play in maintaining the
earth’s temperature?
2. How do you relate the greenhouse effect presented in the comic
strip with global warming?
3. How do man-made activities alter the balance between the
incoming solar radiation (UV radiation) and the Earth’s radiation?

What you will do…

Activity No. 3

Create a poster showing the considerable effects of the various

electromagnetic waves to the environment.
• You may use any drawing tools and coloring materials available at
home.
• Use long bondpaper.
• You may or may not use margin.
• Write your name at the back of the bondpaper.

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 Let’s Assess …

I. Determine the electromagnetic wave whose effects on living things and the
environment are being described in each item. Write the correct symbol
before the number.

GR - Gamma Ray RW - Radio Wave

IR - Infrared Wave VL - Visible Light
MW - Microwave UV - Ultraviolet Waves
XR - X-ray

1. radiated by plants and animals as heat waves

2. used in diathermy that could treat muscle pains
3. can induce cancer and genetic defects
4. used in nuclear medicine
5. can accelerate the aging process of skin
6. utilized by plants to make sugar
7. generates Vitamin D production in the skin
8. commonly used by astrophysicists when collecting data from
space

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Why are high- frequency electromagnetic waves like X-ray and gamma rays
harmful to living things?
2. How can UV rays be both beneficial and harmful to humans?
3. How does the balance of UV radiation from the sun and the radiated infrared
help maintain global temperature?
4. How does light pollution in urban areas affect the lives of people?

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 Let’s Summarize

✓ Electromagnetic waves can affect different materials through:

▪ Transmission
▪ Reflection
▪ Absorption
✓ Electromagnetic waves can be both beneficial and harmful to living things and
to the environment.
▪ Microwaves can be used to treat muscle spasms and arthritis.
▪ Visible light is used by plants in the food-making process
▪ X-rays and gamma rays are used in treating cancer due to their ability to
penetrate cells.
▪ UV radiation and infrared waves play a key role in maintaining the global
temperature.

References and Links

http://www.aaem.pl/Effect-of-electromagnetic-waves-on-human-
reproduction,72600,0,2.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280561900_AN_IMPACT_OF_ELECTROM
AGNETIC_RADIATION_ON_THE_ENVIRONMENT
https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/electromagneti
c-fields07/l-2/9-environmental-effects.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4355556/#:~:text=Sources%20of%20e
lectromagnetic%20fields%20and%20radiation%20influencing%20living%20organism
s%20%5B1%5D.&text=For%20example%2C%20high%20energy%20microwave,the
%20temperature%20of%20exposed%20organisms.
https://www.who.int/pehemf/publications/facts/envimpactemf_infosheet.pdf
https://academic.oup.com/bmb/article/68/1/157/421256
https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/3121-3128.pdf
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/radiofrequency-
radiation.html
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/light-pollution
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/24-3-the-electromagnetic-
spectrum/
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 About the Author

MARIE ASTRED T. GITGANO has been

teaching in Mandaue City Science High School
for 15 years. She graduated from the University of
San Carlos for her Bachelor’s Degree in
Secondary Education major in Physics and
Chemistry. She finished her Master’s Degree in
Science Education in the University of Southern
Philippines Foundation.
Currently , she is teaching French and
Science in the said institution.

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 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Division of Mandaue City
Plaridel St., Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014
Telephone Nos.: (032) 345 – 0545 | (032) 505 – 6337
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Website: https://depedmandaue.net

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