PREPARED BY:

Josephine G. Ortiguero
 I. Introduction

 In this module, you will learn about the different
regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

 This module will lead you to understand how

electromagnetic waves transport energy.

 It also consists of activities that will enrich your

understanding on the application of electromagnetic
waves in our everyday living, and consequently,
how these waves affect living things and the
environment.
 I. Introduction

At the end of Module 2, you will be able to
answer the following questions:

 1. How do the regions in the electromagnetic spectrum

differ in terms of wavelength, frequency and energy?
 2. How do the different types of electromagnetic
waves become relevant to people and environment?
 3. What are the consequent effects of electromagnetic
waves?
 II. Learning
Competencies/Objectives

1. Trace the development of the
electromagnetic theory.

2. Describe how electromagnetic (EM) wave

is produced and propagated.

3. Compare the relative wavelengths,

frequencies and energies of the different
regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
 II. Learning
Competencies/Objectives

4. Cite examples of practical applications of
the different regions of EM waves.

5. Explain the effects of electromagnetic

radiation on living things and the
environment.
III. Pre-Assessment

IV. Reading Resources and
Instructional Activities


The Electromagnetic
Wave Theory
The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together

Accelerating electrons produce
electromagnetic waves. These waves are a
combination of electric and magnetic fields.

A changing magnetic field produces an

electric field and a changing electric field
produces a magnetic field.
The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together

As accelerated electrons produce an electric
field of a wave, the varying electric field
produces the wave’s magnetic field.

Both the electric field and the magnetic field

oscillate perpendicular to each other and to
the direction of the propagating wave
The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together


Figure 1. Electromagnetic Wave

 The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together

 All electromagnetic waves can travel through a medium but
unlike other types of waves, they can also travel in vacuum.

 They travel in vacuum at a speed of 3X108 m/s and denoted

as c, the speed of light. The wave speed, frequency, and
wavelength are related by the following equation:
v=λf
 Where v is the wave speed, or c (speed of light) expressed
in meters per second, the frequency f is expressed in Hertz
and the wavelength λ is expressed in meters.
The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together

Since all the EM waves have the same speed
and that is equal to the speed of light, as
wavelength decreases, the frequency of the
wave increases.

Through the years, the advancement on the

knowledge about electromagnetic waves led
us to a modern technological world.
 The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together

 Example Problems:
(Assume that the waves propagate in a vacuum.)

1. What is the frequency of radio waves with wavelength of 20 m?

Given: v= c = 3X108 m/s
λ= 20 m
f= ?

v=c=λf
f=c/λ
= 3X108 m/s
20 m
= 1.5 X107 Hz
 The Electric and Magnetic
Fields Together

2. What is the frequency of light waves with wavelength of
5 X 10-7 m?

Given: v= c = 3X108 m/s

λ= 5 X 10-7 m
f= ?

v=c=λf

f=c/λ
= 3X108 m/s
5X10-7m
= 6 X1014 Hz
 The Electromagnetic
Spectrum

 The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of
electromagnetic waves arranged according to
frequency and wavelength.
 It is a gradual progression from the waves of lowest
frequencies to the waves of highest frequencies.
 According to increasing frequency, the EM spectrum
includes: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible
light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
 These waves do not have exact dividing region.
 The Electromagnetic
Spectrum

 The different types of electromagnetic waves are
defined by the amount of energy carried
by/possessed by the photons.
 Photons are bundles of wave energy.
 The energy of a photon is given by the equation:
E=hf
 Where h is the Planck’s Constant and f is the
frequency of the EM wave.
 The value of the Planck’s constant is 6.63 x 10-34
joules per second.
 The Electromagnetic
Spectrum

From among the EM waves, the gamma rays
have photons of high energies while radio
waves have photons with the lowest
energies.

With regards to wavelength, radio waves can

be likened to the size of a football field while
gamma rays are as small as the nuclei of an
atom.
The Electromagnetic
Spectrum


 Figure 2. The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Electromagnetic
Spectrum


 Table 1. The electromagnetic waves’ wavelengths,

frequencies, and energies
 Radio Waves

 Radio waves have the
longest wavelength in the
electromagnetic spectrum.

 They are produced by

making electrons vibrate
in an antenna.

 They are used to transmit

sound and picture
information over long Figure 3. A radio
distances.
 Radio Waves

 Radio waves have a very wide range of wavelengths.

 The whole region of the radio waves is divided into

smaller regions or wavebands.

 Each waveband is allocated by law to a specific radio

service.

 The wavelengths and frequencies of the different

wavebands and their uses are shown in Table 2.
Radio Waves

 Radio Waves

Low frequency waves are suitable for
communication over great distances. But the
curvature of the earth limits the range to
about 80 kilometers.

To extend the range, a repeater is used.

 Radio Waves

High frequency waves can be reflected by
the ionosphere.

This enables the waves to be transmitted over

great distances.

Medium and high frequency waves are used

for broadcasting by local radio stations.
 Radio Waves

 In a radio station, sound is converted by a microphone
into patterns of electric current variations called audio-
frequency (AF) signals.
 High frequency radio waves called radio-frequency
(RF) carriers can be modulated to match the electronic
signal.
 In amplitude modulation, the amplitude of the radio
waves (RF carrier) changes to match that of the audio-
frequency signal.
 This is used in standard broadcasting because it can be
sent over long distances.
 Radio Waves

Very high frequency waves provide a higher
quality broadcasting including stereo sound.

In this process, instead of the amplitude of

the RF carrier, it is the frequency of the waves
that changes to match that of the signal.

This is called frequency modulation.

 Microwaves

Microwaves have smaller wavelengths than
radio waves.

They are used in satellite communications,

radar, television transmission and cooking.
Applications of Microwaves

Satellite Communications
 Microwaves can penetrate the atmosphere of the earth.
This is the reason why they are used for satellite
communications.

 Communication satellites travel around the earth at an

altitude of 35, 000 km above the equator.

 They move at a speed of 11 300 km/h and revolve

around the earth every 24 hours, the same rate as the
rotation of the earth. This makes them appear to be
stationary when seen on Earth.
Applications of Microwaves

 Antennae are mounted to point in fixed
directions towards these satellites.

 Microwaves signals are transmitted by an

antenna to a satellite which amplifies and re-
transmits the signal to an antenna in other parts
of the world.

 This is how we communicate with the rest of the

world.
Applications of Microwaves


Figure 4. An orbiting satellite

Applications of Microwaves

Radar

Figure 5. A radar
Applications of Microwaves

 Microwaves have short wavelengths and are
reflected by small objects. This property is used in
radars.
 Radar is the acronym of radio detection and
 ranging.
 A radar system is consists of an antenna, transmitter,
and a receiver.
 The antenna whirls around continuously to scan the
surrounding area. The transmitter sends out a
narrow beam of microwaves in short pulses.
Applications of Microwaves

 A distant object reflects some of the signal back
to the receiver.

 The direction to which the signal was received

gives the direction of the object.

 The distance of the object can be calculated from

the time lag between the transmitted pulse and
the reflected pulse
 Applications of
Microwaves

Terrestrial Communication
 Figure 6. A Television
 Microwaves are used to
set
transmit television news
coverage from mobile broadcast
vehicles back to the station.
 The news crew can also set up a
small antenna to send signals to
communication satellite.
 This is how news are
broadcasted and watched live
around the world.
Applications of Microwaves

 A cell phone is a radio transmitter and receiver that uses
microwaves.

 Cellular phones depend on overlapping network of cells or

areas of land several kilometres in diameter.

 Each cell has its tower that receives and sends microwave
signals.

 The figure below will give you further understanding on the

process.
Applications of Microwaves

 Figure 7. Transmission and reception of signals by a
cellular phone
 Applications of
Microwaves

Microwave oven
 In a microwave oven, foods
absorb certain microwave
frequencies very strongly.
 The microwaves penetrate the
food being heated.
 It will agitate the water
molecules within the food, thus Figure 8. A microwave oven
creating molecular friction
which then produces heat that
will cook it.
Applications of Microwaves
Infrared

 Infrared radiation lies beyond the red end of
the visible light. It is emitted by all objects.

 The amount and wavelength of radiation

depend on temperature.

 Below 500oC, an object emits only infrared

radiation. Above 500oC, an object glows and
emits both infrared and some visible light.
Applications of Microwaves

 Our bodies radiate infrared and under infrared camera
or a night vision goggle, our images appear in variety
of colors.

 The differences in color determine the differences in

temperature.

 For example, shades of blue and green indicate regions

of colder temperature; and red and yellow indicate
warmer temperature.
 Applications of Microwaves

Figure 9. Infrared image of a dog

 In Figure 9, the dog is covered with thick coat of fur that prevents the
heat generated by the dog’s body from escaping.
 Notice that the dog’s nose is cold while the eyes and mouth areas are
warm.
Applications of Microwaves

The following are some useful applications
of IR radiation:
1. Infrared photographs taken from a satellite
with special films provide useful details of the
vegetation on the Earth’s surface.
2. Infrared scanners are used to show the
temperature variation of the body. This can be used
for medical diagnosis.
3. Infrared remote controls are used in TVs,
video, cassette recorders, and other electronic
appliances.
Applications of Microwaves

4. Some night-vision goggles use IR.

5. Some autofocus cameras have transmitter that

sends out infrared pulses. The pulses are
reflected by the object to be photographed
back to the camera. The distance of the object
is calculated by the time lag between the
sending and receiving of pulses. The lens is
then driven by a built-in motor to adjust to
get the correct focus of the object.
 The Visible Spectrum

When white light passes through a prism, it is
separated into its constituent colors: the red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

These colors do not distinctly separate but they

continuously change from red to violet.

Red color has the longest wavelength from among

these colors and violet has the shortest.
The Visible Spectrum

Figure 10. The Visible Spectrum
 The Visible Spectrum

Our eyes are sensitive to electromagnetic
waves of wavelengths that ranges from 4x10-7
m to 7x10-7 m.

This is the range of wavelengths of white

light. Thus, the spectrum of white light is
therefore called the visible spectrum.
 The Visible Spectrum

Table 3 shows the wavelengths of the different colors
that constitute the white light
The Wavelength of the
Different Colors of Light
Some Uses of UV Radiation

 The sun is our main source of ultraviolet
radiation but there are also artificial sources of
UV light.

 Ultraviolet radiation in UV lamps are used by

banks to check the signature on a passbook. The
signature is marked on the passbook with
fluorescent ink. It becomes visible when viewed
under an ultraviolet lamp. These lamps are also
used to identify fake banknotes.
Some Uses of UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation is also used in sterilizing
water from drinking fountains.

Some washing powder also contains

fluorescent chemicals which glow in sunlight.
This makes your shirt look whiter than white
in daylight
Some Uses of UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight produces
vitamin D in the skin and gives us tanning
effect. But since UV rays have high energy, it
could be harmful to some extent. It could
burn the skin and hurt our eyes.

Overexposure to UV radiation may cause

skin cancer. Suntan or sunscreen lotions serve
as filters to protect the body from ultraviolet
radiation.
 X-rays

X-rays come just Figure 11. An X-ray film
after the
ultraviolet rays.
They are of
shorter
wavelength but
carries higher
energy than the
UV.
 X-rays

 X-rays are produced using an X-ray tube. They
are emitted when fast moving electrons hit a
metal target.
 X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad
Roentgen in 1895.
 Long wavelength X-rays can penetrate the flesh
but not the bones.
 They are used in X-ray photography to help
doctors look inside the body. They are useful in
diagnosing bone fractures and tumors.
 X-rays

Short wavelength X-rays can penetrate even
through metals. They are used in industry to
inspect welded joints for faults.

All X-rays are dangerous because they can

damage healthy living cells of the body. This is
the reason why frequent exposure to X-rays
should be avoided. Too much exposure to X-
rays can damage body tissues and can cause
cancer.
 Gamma Rays

Gamma rays lie at the other end of the
electromagnetic spectrum. They are shortest
in wavelength and highest in frequency.
They carry the highest amount of energy,
thus, they are more dangerous.
Gamma rays are emitted by stars and some
radioactive substances.
They can only be blocked with lead and thick
concrete.
 Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are very strong that they can kill
living cells.

Gamma rays are used to treat cancer through

the process called radiotherapy.

They are also used for sterilization of

drinking water.
 V. Summary/Synthesis/
Feedback

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy.
James Clerk Maxwell formulated the
Electromagnetic Wave Theory which says that
an oscillating electric current should be capable
of radiating energy in the form of
electromagnetic waves.
Heinrich Hertz discovered the Hertzian waves
which is now known as radio waves.
Hertz is the unit used to measure the
frequency of waves.
 V. Summary/Synthesis/
Feedback

Electromagnetic (EM) waves have unique
properties.
 EM waves can travel through a vacuum.
 EM waves travel at the speed which is constant in a given
medium and has a value of c = 3.0 x 108 m/s in vacuum.
 EM waves are disturbances in a field rather than in a
medium.
 EM waves have an electric field that travels
perpendicular with the magnetic field.
 EM waves form when moving charged particles transfer
energy through a field.
 V. Summary/Synthesis/
Feedback

 Most EM waves are invisible to the eye but detectable. Only the
visible light is seen by humans.
 Waves in the EM spectrum include the following from the longest
wavelength to the shortest wavelength.
 Radio waves
 Microwaves
 Infrared waves
 Visible light
 Ultraviolet
 X-rays
 Gamma rays
 The order also shows the increasing frequency and energy of the
EM waves.
 V. Summary/Synthesis/
Feedback

The waves in the various regions in the EM
spectrum share similar properties but differ
in wavelength, frequency, energy, and
method of production.

Each type of EM wave poses a certain degree

of risk and danger to people and
environment.
V. Summary/Synthesis/
Feedback

 Glossary of Terms

Electromagnetic wave
 a disturbance in a field that carries energy and
does not require a medium to travel
Frequency
 number of cycles a wave completes in one second;
expressed in Hertz
Radar
 short for radio detecting and ranging. A way of
detecting aircrafts and ships from
 Glossary of Terms

Radio Receivers
 receives radio waves and convert them back to
sounds
Radio Transmitter
 attaches information to the radio signal by
modulating it
Wavelength
 the distance measured from one crest of a wave to
the next crest
VI. Summative Assessment

