ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION | Physics, Type, Difference, Simple explanation |

SIMPLE DEFINATION - electromagnetic waves are waves emanating from alternating electric waves, which create a magnetic wave in front of it, which then forms and repeats an electric wave in front of it.  

Some radiation is electromagnetic waves, but the most commonly known radiation (nuclear radiation) is from a decaying, unstable nucleus releasing neutrons. Now let's know a little deeper what is electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic waves? 

Radiation is a term that means "the transfer of energy radially", or the energy emitted outward from a source - such as the sun's rays emanating from the sun.

Electromagnetic radiation is an electrical and magnetic disturbance traveling through space at the speed of light (2.998 × 10^8 m / s) "energy" that occurs through the vacuum of space or through a physical medium in the form of waves  Is propagated - such as

 

• Radio waves, 

• light waves, 

• X-rays and 

• Gamma rays.  

The term also refers to the emission and transmission of such radiant energy.  There is radiation all around us.  - Actually, we are currently bombarded by radiation.  It may be coming from the Sun and various electronic devices at home.  However, the majority of the radiation we expose is harmless.

The spectrum of electromagnetic radiation consists of various forms of radiation, virtually all of them emitted by the sun in waves.  According to this energy, radiation is divided into several fields.  High energy radiation consists of gamma rays and x-rays, and low energy radiation consists of radios.  The energy of radiation depends on its wavelength - short wavelength for high energy and long wavelength for low energy radiation.

On the basis of wave length / frequency, electromagnetic waves can be classified into the following:

• radio waves

• Microwave

• Infra red waves

• Visible (what we see)

• Ultra violet waves

• X ray

• Gamma rays

From above, we can see that "radiation" is a transfer of energy, while "wave" is a property of radiation.  The wavelength  λ, is the distance from any point on a wave to the same point on the next wave, measured in meters.

The frequency of a wave, f, is the number of waves passing through a point in a given time.  We typically use a time of one second, so this gives the frequency unit Hertz (Hz) called Heinrich Hertz  (1857–1894), the first to provide conclusive evidence of the existence of electromagnetic waves. One hertz is equal to one wave per second.

The amplitude, A, is the distance from the line (or still position) of a wave center above a crest or below a trough.  The higher the amplitude of a wave, the more energy it has.

Through further information, it is important to note that not all electromagnetic waves are considered radiation, but not all radiation is an electromagnetic one.  The radioactive decay process in which a helium nucleus and an electron are emitted from an atomic nucleus are additional forms of radiation, and they are not electromagnetic.  They are classified as nuclear radiation.

What is the difference between nuclear radiation and electromagnetic radiation?

Electromagnetic radiation is different wavelengths of energy.  Special materials are required to absorb certain wavelengths of energy.

Atomic radiation 

Atomic radiation consists of real particles emitted from the decay of radioactive materials.  Nuclear radiation is just a type of radioactive nucleus and the things that come out of gamma rays.

Alpha particles 

Alpha particles are very energetic and can destroy your cells completely, but you only need a piece of paper to prevent the particles from damaging your cells.  Alpha particles have a lot of energy but they do not pass through objects very well.

Beta particles 

Beta particles are more dangerous and you need special material to absorb them because beta particles have much higher penetrating power than alpha particles.  And if you think you are going to be smart and shield yourself from gamma rays and at the same time beta particles are wrong under your leadership.  The use of lead can actually produce more X rays.

Ionic radiation 

Ionic radiation is the most dangerous because it can literally rip off the electrons of atoms in your cells.  It is just the extra neutrons that are emitted from radioactive decay.  To shield yourself best you need a material that has a lot of free electrons that can donate to a neutron.

Why are electromagnetic radiation harmful to the human body?

If it is a wavelength less than about 100nm, it is ionization - it can trigger chemical reactions, give you sunburn, trigger skin cancer.  If it is less than about 10nm, it is able to penetrate further into the body (such as X-rays) and cause deep-seated cancer.  A single photon has enough energy to produce an effect, although a more intense field means more photons and therefore a greater probability of impact.

If it is visible light, or near infra-red that can be focused by the eye, it can damage the retina if it is intense (such as looking directly at the sun in the afternoon, looking at laser pointers).

If it has a long wavelength, and is very intense, it can cause warming, i.e. cooking you, e.g.  microwave ovens.  Intensive areas may arise in the handling of materials, and prevent associated risks, e.g.  Causing explosion in flammable vapor, or triggered explosives.

  

How can you protect yourself from Electromagnetic radiation?

Limit your exposure time.  When near the source of Electromagnetic radiation, keep it brief to limit any cumulative dose.

Maximize your distance.  Stay away from the source as far as possible.  Remember that intensity drops with distance - so a few extra meters can actually reduce your dose. 

Use shielding.

• Alpha particles are easy to block.  Paper will work, even your epidermis can slow down or stop those particles.  You should take great care in inhaling dust coated with alpha emitters or those isotopes.  Radiation in the lungs Alpha radiation can cause massive damage to nearby tissues.

• Beta radiation can be prevented with a layer of metal.  Although I recommend being a bit thicker than aluminum foil, to the tune of sheet metal.

• It takes lots of dense thick material to block gamma radiation.  It usually means lead and a lot of it.  The container can be more than a foot thick for a gamma-ray camera.

• Neutron radiation is also deeply penetrating.  A mixture of dense items such as lead with a mild material such as paraffin is highly effective.

Improved shielding for a shelter against nuclear attack is usually made of cast concrete with one meter or more of soil.  A radiation meter is also highly recommended.

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