The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Year 11 Physics
The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Year 11 Physics
The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Year 11 Physics
Year 11 Physics
Oscillating electrons in a wire or aerial can produce low frequency electromagnetic waves, like radio and television waves. Light waves oscillate too rapidly to be produced this way. They are produced by the outer electrons changing energy levels in atoms. X-rays are produced when the inner electrons change energy levels. Gamma rays, which have extremely high frequencies, are produced by energy changes in the atomic nucleus.
Radio Waves
Wavelengths ranging from 10cm to >1000m. Lowest energy waves in Electromagnetic Spectrum. Include AM radio, FM radio, TV, Microwaves and Radar. Detected by aerials connected to tuned electric circuits in radios Variety of uses depends upon frequency (see below):
AM and FM Radio
In AM (Amplitude Modulation) the audio signal changes the amplitude of the carrier wave. In FM (Frequency Modulation) the audio signal changes the frequency of the carrier wave.
AM radio waves have longer wavelengths than FM and can be received at greater distances. FM radio waves are less affected by electrical interference and hence provide a higher quality transmission of sound
Television
Analog television signals are transmitted on two separate carrier waves
Visual signal is added onto one carrier wave using Amplitude Modulation (AM) Audio signal is carried on a separate carrier wave using Frequency Modulation (FM)
When you select a particular channel, you are selecting the respective visual and audio carrier waves for that channel. Your TV then removes the carrier waves to produce the desired picture and sound.
Microwaves
Wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to 30 cm. Were first used in World War 2 in Radar. Used in microwave ovens (f = 2450 MHz) for cooking. Produced by a magnetron when cathode rays (a beam of electrons) rotate in an electric field. Also used in mobile phones at frequencies of around 900 MHz. Transmission can be up to 100 km, but there must be a direct line of sight Detected in the same way as radio waves and television signals (aerials and tuned circuits)
Infra-red Radiation
Wavelengths ranging from 700 nm (0.0007 mm) to 1 mm. Emitted by hot objects Detected by special photographic film and semiconductor devices Variety of uses including:
Remote controls Security and burglar alarms Medical treatments for soft tissue injury. Thermal imaging applications.
Visible Light
Wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm. We see light of different frequencies as different colours. White light is light that contains all the colours of the spectrum Detected by eyes, photographic film and photo cells A variety of applications including:
fibre-optic communications Photography Laser technology
X-rays
Wavelengths ranging from 0.01-10 nm. Have energy enough to pass through human flesh Detected by X-ray film and fluorescent screen Variety of uses including: Cancer treatment by focussing the rays to kill cancer cells Finding weakness in metals and analysing structures of complex chemicals. Imaging applications in medicine.
X-ray Images
Gamma Rays
Wavelengths less than 0.01 nm.
Highest energy waves in Electromagnetic Spectrum. Produced when energy is lost from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay. Detected by photographic film or Geiger-Mller counters. Highly destructive to human tissue. Can be used to kill cancer cells. Also used in finding fractures and weaknesses in metals.
The ionosphere is the upper layer of the atmosphere in which the gaseous atoms and molecules have become ionised (gained or lost electrons) The ionosphere itself can be divided into three layers: D, E and F D: 50 80 km above Earths surface, absorbs short wavelength (hard, high energy) X-rays E: 80 105 km above Earths surface, absorbs long wavelength (soft, low energy) X-rays F: 145 300 km above Earths surface, absorbs short wavelength UV-rays