Uses and Dangers of EM Waves

This lesson covers the uses and dangers of each type of electromagnetic wave, as required by the AQA GCSE Physics specification (4.6.2). You need to know practical applications for each part of the EM spectrum and understand the potential harmful effects, particularly of ionising radiation.

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Radio Waves

Uses

Use	How Radio Waves Are Used
Television and radio broadcasting	Radio waves carry signals from transmitters to receivers (aerials) in homes
Communication	Two-way radios, walkie-talkies, amateur radio
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi	Short-range radio waves connect devices wirelessly
MRI scanners	Radio waves interact with hydrogen atoms in the body to produce detailed images of soft tissue

Dangers

• Radio waves are non-ionising and generally considered safe at normal exposure levels.
• There is ongoing research into whether long-term exposure to radio waves from mobile phones could affect health, but no conclusive evidence of harm has been found.

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Microwaves

Uses