LESSON 9.2
X-RAYS- or ROENTGEN RAYS, a thousand times shorter than the shortest
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
- Are transverse waves
JAMES CLARK MAXWELL
- Theorized the existence of electromagnetic waves.
HEINRICH HERTZ- Observed waves in 1887 except light.
“All electromagnetic waves propagate in a vacuum or air with speed of
3x108m/s.”
TYPES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES ACCORDING TO
FREQUENCIES/WAVELENGTHS:
1. ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM- describes the entire range of
electromagnetic radiation, arranged in order by their frequencies or
wavelengths.
- There is no sharp dividing point between the types of waves.
2. GAMMA RAYS- are emitted by radioactive materials like cobalt-60 and
cesium-137.
- Discovered by PAUL VILLARD
- They are highly penetrating because of their very short wavelengths
Ranging from less than 10-14m to 10-10m.
- They are used to detect cracks in metals
- They can cause cancer and even mutation
RADIOTHERAPHY- a process that can destroy cancer cells
EXPLORING LIFE THROUGH SCIENCE
3.
visible light and have very high frequency. Wavelengths ranging from
10-12m to 10-8m, and divided into soft and hard X-rays.
- Also used in airport security checks to see inside the luggage, can
cause cancer and damage tissues.
SOFT X-RAYS- can penetrate soft substances like flesh and bones
HARD X-RAYS- are more penetrating, used mainly in industries
4. ULTRAVIOLET RAYS- discovered by JOHANN WILHELM RITTER, which
have wavelengths that span from 1x10-8m up to 4x10-7m
- Major source: sun. Special lamps also emit UV rays
- Are used to detect blank notes, and render visible the security marker
ink in your signatures in the bankbook, sterilize medical equipment
- Too much exposure to UV rays may cause skin burns so called sun tan
that may cause skin cancer.
- Also damage the retina that can damage eyes so wear UV-protected
sunglasses.
5. LIGHT RAYS- is part of electromagnetic spectrum visible to the unaided
eye. It extends from short wave violet (4x10-7m) to the long wave red
(7.6x10-7m)
- Indigo is between violet and blue, in modern usage it is no longer
considered separate color.
6. INFRARED RAYS- have longer wavelengths than red light ranging from
7x10-7m to 10-3m
- Discovered by Sir WILLIAM HERSCHEL
- Also known as HEAT WAVES
- Used in remote controls for tv, burglar alarm systems, and night even
night vision equipment.
- Most computers, laptops, palmtops, and printers are equipped with
INFRARED DATA ASSOCIATION ports that link up printer without cable.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS- use heat lamps to heal sports injury, too much infrared
exposure lead to overheating.
7. MICROWAVES- are extremely high frequency radio waves, discovered
by JAMES CLERK MAXWELL
MR. ANDRES III B. SEQUITO, M.B., LPT.
Science Teacher
 - They have short wavelengths ranging from 10-1m to 10-1m are easily
absorbed by water molecules.
- They are known to cause cataracts, do not press your face against a
microwave oven to check if the food is already cooked.

8. RADIO WAVES- are the longest of all electromagnetic waves, ranges

from 10-1m to 104m.
- Discovered by HEINRICH HERTZ

They are divided into:

a. Long waves
b. Medium waves used by AM stations
c. Very high frequency (VHF) used by FM stations
d. Ultra high frequency (UHF) used by police, radio communications,
military aircraft, and television station transmissions.
Others include:
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags
o Is an integrated circuit with antenna
o It can store, transmit data like Universal Product Codes (known
as bar code in grocery items.
EC TAGS- use to pay tolls in South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon
Expressway.
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
o Was invented by DR. IVAN GETTING and US DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE
o It relies 24 satellites orbiting Earth
o Originally designed for military navigation purposes.

- Bleutooth
- Wi-FI

EXPLORING LIFE THROUGH SCIENCE MR. ANDRES III B. SEQUITO, M.B., LPT.
Science Teacher