| Wave Type | Uses | Hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Radio | TV, radio, communications | None significant |
| Microwave | Cooking, mobile phones, satellite | Internal heating of body tissue |
| Infrared | Heating, thermal cameras, remotes | Skin burns |
| Visible | Seeing, photography, fibre optics | Eye damage (bright light) |
| Ultraviolet | Sterilisation, fluorescence, tanning | Sunburn, skin cancer, eye damage |
| X-rays | Medical imaging, airport security | Cell damage, cancer |
| Gamma | Cancer treatment, sterilisation | Cell damage, cancer, death |
Pattern: Higher frequency = higher energy = more dangerous!
This key facts covers EM Wave Uses and Hazards within Electromagnetic Spectrum for GCSE Physics. Revise Electromagnetic Spectrum in Waves for GCSE Physics with 17 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 4 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Electromagnetic Spectrum
What is the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?
Explain the potential dangers of ultraviolet radiation to humans.
Quick recall flashcards
Are all EM waves transverse?
Yes, all EM waves are transverse
Speed of EM waves in vacuum?
3 × 10⁸ m/s (speed of light)