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Science
Quarter 2 - Module 4: Week 4
Practical Applications of EM Waves
Part 2

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Science - Grade 10
Quarter 2 - Module 4: Week 4 Practical Applications of EM Waves – Part 2
Second Edition, Revised 2021

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Published by the Department of Education – Division of Cebu City

Schools Division Superintendent: Rhea Mar A. Angtud, EdD

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Mrs. Arnolfa A. Demellites, Principal I, Guba National HS

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Management Team

Dr. Rhea Mar A. Angtud, Schools Division Superintendent

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Telephone Nos: 032-2551516, 032-2539095
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Lesson
Practical Applications of EM
1 Waves – Part 2

What I Need to Know

Good day students! In the previous module, you learned about the different
practical applications of electromagnetic (EM) waves, specifically radio waves,
microwaves, and infrared waves. In this module, you will learn about the other
types of EM waves – visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays ang gamma rays. You will
also learn about their practical applications in our lives and society.

Have you ever wondered how we are able to see our beautiful surroundings?

What causes sunburn on our skin when we go out too long in the sun?

What enables doctors to diagnose bone fractures and tumors in the body?

We will find out the answers to these questions in this module.

What I Know

PRE-TEST / PRE-ASSESSMENT

Let’s see what you know so far about the topic. Answer the questions that follow.
Write the letter of the best answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What are disturbances in a field that carry energy and do not require a medium
to travel?
A. Sound waves
B. Seismic waves
C. Mechanical waves
D. Electromagnetic waves

2. Which two waves lie at the ends of the visible spectrum?

A. X-rays and gamma rays
B. Radio waves and X-rays
C. Infrared and ultraviolet rays
D. Radio waves and microwaves
3. In the visible spectrum, which color has the shortest wavelength?
A. Blue C. Red
B. Green D. Violet

4. Which property spells the difference between infrared and ultraviolet radiation?
A. Color C. Wavelength
B. Speed in vacuum D. None of the above

5. What type of electromagnetic waves is used in radar?

A. Infrared rays
B. Microwaves
C. Radio waves
D. Ultraviolet rays

6. What electromagnetic (EM) wave is used in camera auto-focusing?

A. Radio waves
B. Infrared
C. X - rays
D. Gamma rays

7. What electromagnetic (EM) wave is used in radio broadcasting?

A. Radio waves C. X-rays
B. Infrared D. Gamma rays

8. What electromagnetic (EM) wave is used in the diagnosis of bone fractures?

A. Radio waves
B. Infrared
C. X-rays
D. Gamma rays

9. What electromagnetic (EM) wave is used in the sterilization of water in drinking

fountains?
A. Infrared
B. Ultraviolet rays
C. X-rays
D. Gamma rays

10. What electromagnetic (EM) wave is used in the sterilization of medical

instruments?
A. Infrared
B. Ultraviolet rays
C. X-rays
D. Gamma rays

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 What’s In

In the previous lesson, you learned about the first three EM waves.
Can you recall what these are?

Identify the EM wave asked for. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

TYPES OF EM Waves:
1. _____________________ – a type of electromagnetic radiation
with the longest wavelength, and is used in standard broadcast
radio and television

2. _____________________ – an electromagnetic wave with a

wavelength shorter than a radio wave but longer than those of
infrared radiation. These are used in radar, in communications,
in cooking and heating food.

3. _____________________ – electromagnetic radiation having a

wavelength greater than the red end of the visible spectrum but
less than that of microwaves and is emitted particularly by
heated objects.

What’s New

THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM

Visible light shares the thinnest slice in the electromagnetic spectrum. It lies in-
between the infrared and ultraviolet rays. It is the only EM wave perceived by the human
eye. If not because of visible light, we will not be able to see the beauty of our
surroundings.
 White light, like that of sunlight, is made up of a variety of colors. When light passes
through a prism, it is separated into its constituent colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo and violet (ROYGBIV). These colors do not distinctly separate but they
continuously change from red to violet. Though these colors travel at the same speed,
they come in different wavelengths. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the
shortest.

Figure 1. The Visible Spectrum

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Our eyes are sensitive to electromagnetic waves of wavelengths that range from 4 x
10-7 m to 7 x 10-7 m. This is the range of wavelengths of white light. Thus, the spectrum
of white light is called the visible spectrum. The table below shows the wavelengths of the
different colors that constitute white light.

Table 1. Wavelengths of the different colors of light

COLOR WAVELENGTH (nm)

Violet – Indigo 390 - 455
Blue 455 – 492
Green 492 – 577
Yellow 577 – 597
Orange 597 – 622
Red 622 – 700

The next activity introduces the next part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Perform
this activity so you can gain a deeper understanding of this EM wave.

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 ACTIVITY 1
SCREEN THE UV OUT

Note: Perform this activity early in the morning to expose the material
throughout the day.

Objectives:
• Block UV rays of the sun.
• Discover the effects of UV rays.

Materials:
• Ziploc snack bag or any transparent plastic
• Newspaper
• Sunscreen / Sunblock
• Black construction paper
• Permanent marker

Procedure:
1. Cut a piece of newspaper to fit snugly inside a Ziploc snack bag.
2. Outside the snack bag, draw two lines with a marker dividing the bag into three
equal parts from the top of the bag to the bottom.
3. Apply a thin coat of sunscreen in the leftmost part.
4. Cover the middle part with black construction paper.
5. The right part should be left fully exposed.
6. Place the snack bag in an area fully exposed to sunlight.
7. Recover the snack bag in the afternoon.

Guide Questions:

1. How does the newsprint vary in the three divisions of the newspaper?
2. What does this indicate?
3. How does this realization impact your personal life?

What is It

ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
In the activity, you discovered about the effects of UV rays of the sun.
Ultraviolet radiation lies just beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum. Ultraviolet
waves have shorter wavelengths than visible light and carry more energy.

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USES OF UV RADIATION
The sun is our main source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation but there are also artificial sources
of UV light. UV lamps are used by banks to check the signature on a passbook. The signature
is marked on a passbook with fluorescent ink. It becomes visible when viewed under an
ultraviolet lamp. These lamps are also used to identify fake bank notes.
Ultraviolet radiation is also used in sterilizing water from drinking fountains. Hospitals use
UV to sterilize medical instruments to kill harmful bacteria. Some washing powder also
contains fluorescent chemicals which glow in sunlight. This makes your shirt look whiter than
white in daylight.
Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight produces Vitamin D in the skin and gives us a 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. Sunblock
and sunscreen lotions serve as filters to protect the body from ultraviolet radiation.
What are some ways you can protect yourself from UV radiation? Refer to the figure
below.

Figure 2. Ways to protect yourself from UV radiation

X-RAYS
X-rays come just after the ultraviolet rays. They have shorter wavelengths but carry
higher energy than the UV. 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 flesh but not bones. They are used in X-ray
photography to help doctors look inside the body. They are useful in diagnosing bone
fractures and tumors. Short wavelength X-rays can penetrate even through metals. They are
used in industry to inspect welded joints for faults.

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 All X-rays are dangerous because they can damage healthy living cells of the body. That
is why frequent exposure to X-rays should be avoided. Too much exposure to X-rays can
damage body tissues and can cause cancer.

Figure 3. An X-ray of a left hand

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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 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 medical
equipment.

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 What I Have Learned

GENERALIZATION

Now, let’s sum up theWhat I Can

concepts Do in this module.
you learned

Waves in the Electromagnetic (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.

The regions in the EM spectrum have various uses and applications.

EM Wave Applications / Uses

Radio waves Radio and television communication

Microwaves Satellite television and communication,

Cooking food
Infrared waves Remote control, household electrical appliances

Visible light Artificial lighting, screen of electronic devices

Ultraviolet Sterilization, fluorescence

X-rays Medical use, engineering applications

Gamma rays Medical treatment, sterilization of medical

equipment

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 Assessment / Post-Test

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write the letter of the correct answer
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which electromagnetic wave carries more energy than the others?

A. Microwaves
B. Radio waves
C. UV radiation
D. Visible light

2. What electromagnetic wave is sometimes called heat rays?

A. Radio waves
B. Infrared
C. Gamma rays
D. Visible light

3. What EM waves are used in satellite communications?

A. Radio waves C. Infrared
B. Microwaves D. Visible light

4. What EM waves are used in texting?

A. Radio waves C. Infrared
B. Microwaves D. Visible light

5. What EM waves are used in TV broadcasting?

A. Radio waves C. Infrared
B. Microwaves D. Visible light

6. What EM waves are used in checking bankbook signatures?

A. Visible light C. X-rays
B. Ultraviolet D. Gamma rays

7. What EM waves are useful in detecting bone fractures and tumors?

A. Visible light C. X-rays
B. Ultraviolet D. Gamma rays

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8. What EM waves are emitted by stars and some radioactive substances?
A. Visible light C. X-rays
B. Ultraviolet D. Gamma rays

9. What EM wave can be seen by humans?

A. Visible light C. X-rays
B. Ultraviolet D. Gamma rays

10. Why are high frequency EM waves like gamma rays harmful to living things?
A. They have short wavelengths and cannot be blocked by some materials.
B. They carry a very high amount of energy that penetrates cells.
C. They cannot be seen with the naked eye.
D. All of the above.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Cebu City

Office Address: Imus Road, Cebu City
Telephone Nos.: (032) 255-1516
E-mail Address: cebucity@deped.gov.ph

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