The electromagnetic spectrum By rachel butler

Full Sentences- Question 2 The waves on the electromagnetic spectrum are similar because they are all transverse waves. They can also all be harmful when the human body is exposed to high levels of any of the waves. All the waves travel at the same speed but they each have different wavelengths. The waves on the electromagnetic spectrum are different as each category has different wavelength frequencies. The more frequent the waves get, the more harmful they are to the body. The wavelength and the frequency of the wave are closely related. The number of crests passing by a certain point in one minute depends on the wavelength. The lesser the frequency, the longer the wavelength. The type of electromagnetic spectrum that can give you sunburn is ultraviolet. A healthy amount of UV is good for you as it kills bacteria and viruses, however too much UV radiation can become dangerous. Speed cameras use radar detectors. Radio waves are used to catch speeding cars, however new specialised speed cameras have been developed that emit x-ray waves.

Exposed… In the past year tODAY Radio waves- television, radio, mobile phone, internet. Microwave- microwave, satellites. Visible waves- light (light bulbs, computer screen, tv screen), music, piano playing, band practise. Infrared- Oven, fire, tv remote, patio heater, infrared reflecting of footpath. Ultraviolet waves- the sun X-rays- Kidney ultrasound, mouth x- ray. Gamma rays- Nuclear testing, outer space Radio waves-phone, tv, computer. Microwaves- microwave Infrared- TV remote, oven, fireplace. Visible- Camera, TV screen, computer, light bulbs, people talking, TV sound. Ultraviolet- the sun

ultrasound How has ultrasound changed overtime? Ultrasound was first used in 1956 in Glasgow. Ian Donald, an obstetrician, and Tom Brown, an engineer. Ultrasound was developed based on an instrument used to detect industrial flaws in ships. Ultrasound machines have changed dramatically over the past 10 years than from when it was first made. The machine is now portable and can be taken to someone’s bedside. It has become more accurate and thorough and doctors can tell how many weeks a woman has been pregnant. Ultrasound screening is more detailed and can even produce 3D images of parts of the body or a foetus. Ultrasound waves can be used to break down kidney stones in the body.

Impact of Ultrasound on society Positives Determine early foetus or maternal health conditions, leading to a higher survival rate. Operations can be more successful as doctors can tell exactly where a specific organ or foetus is in the body. Ultrasound is an immediate screening so patients can be diagnosed or helped straight away. Negatives If there are any health problems found, some women choose to have an abortion. In some countries, if the foetus is a girl, families choose to get an abortion as a girl is inferior to a boy. It has been researched that ultrasound can be harmful to a baby’s brain which can lead to lower birth weights and delayed speech development.

Relating to Ultrasound Many doctors are thankful for the invention of ultrasound as it provides an immediate image of the area they are scanning. Most doctors feel comfortable using the machine as it doesn’t cause pain to most patients. Ultrasound is a commonly used machine in first world countries and both patients and doctors are usually comfortable using it. However, some countries such as Africa have little access to ultrasound machines. This would make using these machines less comfortable machine as they have never experienced it before. Some pregnant women can be anxious about having an ultrasound as they don’t want to harm their baby, however it is a good way to diagnose and find any health conditions that are found. Many women do believe that an ultrasound is a great way to check how the baby is growing and having an ultrasound doesn’t provide discomfort or pain. Ultrasound waves are just as powerful and harmful as x-ray waves

Relationship to the electromagnetic spectrum Ultrasound emits magnetic fields which is what the electromagnetic spectrum measures. If you are exposed to too many ultrasound waves, it can harm your health. Ultrasound waves are in the category of x-rays on the EMS which means that the waves are quite small and damaging. ENERGY TRANSFERRED/TYPES OF ENERGY Ultrasound used high frequency sound waves that are transferred from the probe into the body. Electrical energy is changed to mechanical energy as it passes through the probe. Sound waves are a type of energy used in ultrasound.