Microwaves cannot be seen, but they can cause burns if they are absorbed by body tissues.

Microwave ovens rely on the ability of microwaves to

penetrate about 1cm into food. They are absorbed by water in the food, causing it to warm up.
Microwaves go through plastics and glass, but are reflected by metals. To protect us from the harmful effects of microwaves, microwave ovens
have metal cases, and the glass doors have a metal mesh.
There is a British Standard which sets a safe limit of 50 watts per square metre at 5cm. This means that measurements of microwave power taken
at 5cm from the microwave must be less than 50 watts per square metre.
Cooking with waves - higher
Transferring energy
You should be able to explain how infrared radiation and microwaves transfer energy to materials such as food.
In each case, the kinetic energy of particles is increased when the radiation is absorbed:
infrared radiation is absorbed by all particles on the surface
microwave radiation is absorbed by water particles, both on the surface and up to about 1cm deep into the food
The kinetic energy is transferred to the centre of the food by conduction or convection.
Potential dangers
The higher the frequency of an electromagnetic wave, the greater the energy it transfers for a given amplitude. Infrared radiation has a higher
frequency than microwaves. It can transfer enough energy to break chemical bonds. Microwaves cannot.
Hazards of electromagnetic radiation
Over-exposure to certain types of electromagnetic radiation can be harmful. The higher the frequency of the radiation, the more damage it is likely
to cause to the body:
microwaves cause internal heating of body tissues
infrared radiation is felt as heat and causes skin burns
X-rays damage cells, causing mutations (which may lead to cancer) and cell death
gamma rays also damage cells, causing mutations (which may lead to cancer) and cell death.
Microwaves
Microwave radiation can be used to transmit signals such as those for mobile phone calls. Microwave transmitters and
receivers on buildings and masts communicate with the mobile phones in their range
Ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet radiation - UV - is found naturally in sunlight. We cannot see or feel ultraviolet radiation, but our skin
responds to it by turning darker. This happens as our bodies attempt to reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation
reaching deeper skin tissues. Darker skins absorb more ultraviolet light, so less ultraviolet radiation reaches the
deeper tissues. This is important, because ultraviolet radiation can cause normal cells to become cancerous.
The three main types of ultraviolet radiation, and some of their effects
type

frequency

hazard

UV C

high

causes severe damage to cells

type

frequency

hazard

UV B

medium

causes severe sunburn and damage to cells

UV A

low

weaker effects than UV B

Uses of electromagnetic radiation

Some uses of electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation

Uses

radiowaves

broadcasting
communications
satellite transmissions

microwaves

cooking
communications
satellite transmissions

infrared

cooking
thermal imaging
short range communications
optical fibres
television remote controls
security systems

visible light

vision
photography
illumination

ultraviolet

security marking
fluorescent lamps
detecting forged bank notes
disinfecting water

Electromagnetic radiation

Uses

X-rays

observing the internal structure of objects

airport security scanners
medical X-rays

gamma rays

sterilising food and medical equipment

detection of cancer and its treatment

Ionising radiation
Radioactive substances give out radiation all of the time. There are three types of nuclear radiation: alpha, beta and
gamma. Alpha is the least penetrating, while gamma is the most penetrating. Nonetheless, all three are ionising
radiation: they can knock electrons out of atoms and form charged particles.
Radiation can be harmful, but it can also be useful - the uses of radiation include to:

detect smoke

gauge the thickness of paper

treat cancer

sterilise medical equipment.

Types of radiation
Nuclear radiation comes from the nucleus of an atom. Substances that give out radiation are said to be radioactive.
All radiation transfers energy. There are three types of nuclear radiation:

alpha

beta

gamma.
Radiation can be absorbed by substances in its path. For example, alpha radiation travels only a few centimetres in air,
beta radiation travels tens of centimetres in air, while gamma radiation travels many metres. All types of radiation
become less intense the further the distance from the radioactive material, as the particles or rays become more
spread out.
The thicker the substance, the more radiation is absorbed. The three types of radiation penetrate materials in
different ways.

Penetrative properties of different types of radiation

Alpha radiation
Alpha radiation is the least penetrating. It can be stopped (or absorbed) by a sheet of paper.
Beta radiation
Beta radiation can penetrate air and paper. It can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium.
Gamma radiation
Gamma radiation is the most penetrating. Even small levels can penetrate air, paper or thin metal. Higher levels can
only be stopped by many centimetres of lead or many metres of concrete.
Check your understanding by having a go at this animation. Click on each image of the rock to discover the reading
on the radiation meter. Use the readings to confirm that the rock gives out beta radiation.

The waves just make the molecules vibrate with a larger amplitude, which heats the food up.