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The behaviour of an electromagnetic wave in a substance depends on its frequency or wavelength. The differing behaviours of different groups in the electromagnetic spectrum make them suitable for a range of uses.

Radio waves

Radio waves are used for communication such as television and radio.

Radio waves are transmitted easily through air. They do not cause damage if absorbed by the human body, and they can be reflected and refracted to change their direction. These properties make them ideal for communications.

Producing radio waves - Higher

Radio waves can be produced by, or can themselves induce oscillations in electrical circuits. When radio waves are absorbed by a conductor, they create an alternating current. This electrical current has the same frequency as the radio waves. The conductor could be, for example, an aerial on a radio.

Information is coded into the wave before transmission, which can then be decoded when the wave is received. Television and radio systems use this principle to broadcast information.

Microwaves

Microwaves are used for cooking food and for communications.

High frequency microwaves have frequencies which are easily absorbed by molecules in food. The energy of the molecules increases when they absorb microwaves, which causes heating. Unlike radio waves, microwaves are not refracted in the Earth's atmosphere which means they can pass easily between stations on Earth and satellites in orbit.

Infrared radiation

Infrared radiation is used by electrical heaters, cookers for cooking food, and by infrared cameras which detect heat sources in the dark.

Infrared radiation has frequencies which are absorbed by some chemical bonds. The internal energy of the bonds increases when they absorb infrared radiation, which causes heating. This makes infrared radiation useful for electrical heaters and for cooking food. All objects emit infrared radiation. The human eye cannot see this radiation, but infrared cameras can detect it. This 'thermal imaging' is useful for detecting people in the dark, finding hot spots when firefighting and checking the insulation properties of homes.

Visible light

Visible light is the light we can see. It is used in fibre optic communications, where coded pulses of light travel through glass fibres from a source to a receiver.

Visible light, together with ultraviolet radiation and X-rays, is generated when the electrons in an atom lose energy.

Ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet radiation can kill bacteria that are present in water - this sterilises the water and makes it safe to drink. Ultraviolet radiation is also good for the skin as it helps to make vitamin D. However, too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin problems, including skin cancer.

Oxygen in the atmosphere is affected by radiation in a way that produces ozone in the upper atmosphere. Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation, protecting all living organisms on Earth from its harmful effects.