WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Science 10, Quarter 2, Weeks 3-4

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF EM WAVES

Name: ___________________________________________Section: ____________________

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain how radio waves and microwaves used in wireless communications

(S10FE-IIc-d-47)
2. Describe the uses of infrared, visible spectrum and ultraviolet rays;
3. Describe some practical applications of X-rays and Gamma rays

Time Allotment:

Key Concepts:

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
 All substances have kinetic energy that is expressed by vibrations of their
atoms or molecules. The vibrations result in radiation. This electromagnetic
radiation spreads out in the form of electromagnetic waves. The motion of
different waves enables scientists to classify them into different parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is a name given to
all of the different types of electromagnetic wave. They can be described in
terms of a stream of photons, which are massless particles each traveling in a
wave-like pattern and moving at the speed of light. Each photon contains a
certain amount (or bundle) of energy, and all electromagnetic radiation consists
of these photons. The only difference between the various types of
electromagnetic radiation is the amount of energy found in the photons. The
different regions of electromagnetic waves are Radio waves, Microwaves,
Infrared, Visible light, UV rays, X-rays and Gamma rays. Radio waves have
photons with low energies, microwaves have a little more energy than radio
waves, infrared has still more, then visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and the most
energetic of all “gamma-rays”.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

 Radio waves: conversations, data and even music can be transmitted through
air over millions of kilometers because of radio waves. Wireless communication
has become possible through transmission and reception of these radio waves.
Remember, radio waves can be transmitted through empty space! Radio waves
have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are
produced by making electrons vibrate in an antenna. Medium and high
frequency waves are used for broadcasting by local radio stations. In a radio
station, sound is converted by a microphone into patterns of electric current
variations called audio-frequency (AF) signals. High frequency radio waves
called radio-frequency (RF) carriers can be modulated to match the electronic
signal. In amplitude modulation (AM), the amplitude of the radio waves (RF

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 carrier) changes to match that of the audio-frequency (AF) signal. This is used
in standard broadcasting because it can be sent over long distances. Very high
frequency waves provide a higher quality broadcasting including stereo sound.
In this process, instead of the amplitude of the RF carrier, it is the frequency of
the waves that changes to match that of the signal. This is called frequency
modulation (FM). When the radio wave is received by the antenna of a radio or
television, the pattern is converted back to its original form. The sound portions
of most television broadcasts are carried as AM waves while the picture portions
are carried as FM waves. They are used to transmit sound and picture
information over long distances. Radio waves have a very wide range of
wavelengths. The whole region of the radio waves is divided into smaller regions
of wavebands. Each waveband is allocated by law to a specific radio service.
Low frequency waves are suitable for communication over great distance. But
the curvature of the earths limits the range to about 80 km. To extend the
range, a repeater is used. The repeater receives the signal and re-transmits it to
the receiving station. High frequency waves can be reflected by the ionosphere.
This enables the waves to be transmitted over great distances. (Learning
Material pp. 150-152)

 Microwaves: Microwaves can penetrate the atmosphere of the earth. The high
frequency waves penetrate into the ionosphere and to the space. Therefore,
communication satellites are used to reflect these waves back to earth which
are then captured by the receiving antennas. Communication satellites travel
around the earth at an altitude of 35, 000 km above the equator. They move at
a speed of 11,300 km/h and revolve around the earth every 24 hours, the same
rate as the rotation of the earth. This makes them appear stationary when seen
on Earth. Antennae are mounted to point in fixed directions towards these
satellites. This is the reason why they are used for satellite communications.
Microwaves signals re transmitted by an antenna to a satellite which amplifies
and re-transmits the signal to an antenna in other parts of the world. This is
how we communicate with the rest of the world. Most communication satellites
are used to send and receive radio signals for telephone services while the rest
are for television broadcasting, scientific research and weather forecast.
(Learning Material pp. 155-156)

 Terrestrial Communication- Microwaves are used to transmit television

news coverage from mobile broadcast vehicles back to the station. The
news crew can also set up a small antenna to send signals to a
communication satellite. This is how news are broadcasted and watched
live around the world. A cell phone is a radio transmitter and receiver that
uses microwaves. Cellular phone is a very sophisticated radio, but still a
radio nonetheless. It is today’s answer to the emerging demand for mobile
communication. Cellular phones depend on overlapping network of cells or
areas of land several kilometers in diameter. Each cell has its tower that
receives and sends microwaves signals. (Learning Material pp. 155-156)

 Infrared Waves: Infrared waves are in the lower-middle range of frequencies in

the EM spectrum. Infrared radiation lies beyond the red end of the visible light.
The size of infrared waves ranges from a few millimeters down to microscopic

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 lengths. The longer-wavelength infrared waves produce heat and include
radiation emitted by fire, the sun and other heat-producing objects; shorter-
wavelength infrared rays do not produce much heat and are used in remote
controls and imaging technologies. The amount and wavelength of radiation
depend on temperature. Below 5000C, an object emits only infrared radiation.
Above 5000C, an object glows and emits both infrared and visible light. The
difference in color determines the differences in temperature. For examples
shades of blue and green indicate regions of colder temperature; and red and
yellow indicate warmer temperature. The human eye is not sensitive to the
infrared light used by television remote controls. To send a signal to a
television, remote controls often use a diode that emits light. Some digital
cameras have filters to block near-infrared light, but most can detect it. It
shows up on the screen as if it were visible light. When you press a button on
the remote control, the camera may show a pulsing light emitted by the remote.
(Learning Material pp. 158-159)

The following are some useful applications of Infrared radiation:

(1) Infrared photographs taken from a satellite with special films provide
useful details of the vegetation on the Earth’s surface.
(2) Infrared scanners are used to show the temperature variation of the
body. This can be used for medical diagnosis.
(3) Infrared remote controls are used in TV’s, video, cassette recorders,
and other electronic appliances
(4) Infrared camera has transmitter that sends out infrared pulses.
(5) A night-vision google.

 Visible Light: The visible light shares the thinnest slice in the electromagnetic
spectrum. It lies in between the infrared and the ultraviolet rays. It is the only
EM wave perceived by the human eye. If not because of the visible light, we will
not be able to see the beauty of our surrounding much less appreciate it. When
white light passes through a prism, it is separated into its constituent colors:
the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. These colors do not
distinctly separate but they continuously change from red to violet. Red color
has the longest wavelength from among these colors and violet has the shortest.
Our eyes are sensitive to electromagnetic waves of wavelengths that ranges from
4x10-7 m to 7x10-7 m. This is the range of wavelengths of white light. Thus, the
spectrum of white light is therefore called the visible spectrum.

Visible light is essential for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process

by which green plant makes food. Forms of energy taken from the sun used by
plants and microorganisms million years ago are locked up in coal and oil used
as energy resources today. (Learning Material pp. 160)

 Production of light
There are several ways in which a luminous object can be made to give
off energy in the form of light. A luminous object can produce incandescent
light, fluorescent light and neon light.
a. Incandescent Light is a form of light produced by heat. Ordinary light
bulbs in your home are incandescent. They produce light when electricity is

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 applied to them. Inside the glass bulb of a light bulb is a thin wire filament
made of metal tungsten. Tungsten can be heated to over 20000C without
melting.

b. Fluorescent Light is cooler and uses much less energy than

incandescent light. Instead of being used up to build up heat, electrons in
fluorescent lights are used to bombard molecules of gas kept at low pressure in
a tube. The color that a fluorescent bulb produces depends on the phosphors
used.
c. Neon Light can be seen in thin glass tubes of brightly colored lights. It
is a cool light similar to fluorescent light. When electrons pass through the
glass tubes filled with certain gases, light is produced. The most common type
of gas used is neon gas which produced bright red. If other gases are added,
however, different colors are produced

 Ultraviolet Rays: Ultraviolet radiation lies just beyond the violet end of the
visible spectrum. Ultraviolet waves have shorter wavelengths than the visible
light and carry more energy. The sun is our main source of ultraviolet radiation
but there are also artificial sources of UV light. Ultraviolet radiation in UV
lamps are used by banks to check the signature on a passbook. The signature
is marked on the passbook with fluorescent ink. It becomes visible when viewed
under an UV lamp. These lamps are also used to identify fake banknotes. UV
radiation is also used in sterilizing water from drinking fountains. Some
washing powder also contains fluorescent chemicals which glow in sunlight.
This makes your shirt look whiter than white light in daylight. UV radiation in
sunlight produces vitamin D in the skin and gives us tanning effect. Having
higher frequency, UV rays carry higher amount of energy. They can damage
tissue, burn the skin and damage the eyes. Ultraviolet rays also have benefits.
Hospitals make use of UV to sterilize medical instruments to kill harmful
bacteria. (Learning Material pp. 161-162)

 X Rays: X-rays come just after the ultraviolet rays. They are of shorter
wavelength but carries 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 the flesh but not the 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.
(Learning Material pp.162)

 Gamma Rays: Gamma rays lie at the other end of the electromagnetic
spectrum. They are shortest in wavelength and highest in frequency. Gamma
rays are emitted by only the most energetic cosmic objects such pulsars,
neutron stars, supernova and black holes. Terrestrial sources include lightning,
nuclear explosions and radioactive decay. Gamma wave wavelengths are
measured on the subatomic level and can actually pass through the empty
space within an atom. Gamma rays can destroy living cells; fortunately, the
Earth's atmosphere absorbs any gamma rays that reach the planet. Gamma

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 rays carry the highest amount of energy thus, they are more dangerous. They
can also 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 drinking
water. (Learning Material pp. 163)

Activity 1. All about Radio Waves

What to do: Read the given questions and answer them on the space provided below.

How What is the Got the

START/ important Which is difference answer?
Radio Wave much better between AM Proceed!
FINISH is to you? to use AM or from FM? No? Start
FM? Why?
Again!
8 7 6

How Radio What

waves are difference
produced? RADIO WAVES will it give if
frequency
1 increases? 5

What or Got the How does Got the What

where is answer? transmitter, answer? happens if
Radio waves Proceed! repeater, and Proceed! the
used for? No? Go antenna work No? Go wavelength
in giving range
back to Q1 back
broadcast? 3 increases? 4
2 READING!
Q1. ________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Q2. ________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Q3. ________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Q4. ________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Q5. ________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Q6. ________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. ________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Q8. ________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2. Microwaves at Work

What you need: Mirror and Flashlight



What to do:
1. Ask a family member A to stand in an area while holding the flashlight
that is switched on. The flashlight represents the transmitter of signal
from space stations in outer space.
2. Ask another family member B to stand in an area where he/she cannot
see the light from the flashlight. Your family member represents the
receiver of signal on Earth.
3. Place the mirror in a way that the light could reach family member B.

Guiding Questions:
1. What did you do for the light from flashlight to reach family member B?
2. What is the purpose of mirror in this activity? What does the mirror represent?
3. How do you think the microwave signals from the earth reach our astronauts
miles away from the planet? Is there a change if the signal was transmitted first
from space towards earth? Why do you say so?

Activity 3. Terrestrial vs. Satellite Communications

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 What to do: Analyze the given pictures about Satellite Communication and
Terrestrial Communication then answer the following questions.

Satellite
Communication

Network Tower

Base receiver
transmission

Area 1 Area 3

Terrestrial
Communicatio
n

Area 2
Area 4

Guiding Questions:
1. How different is the terrestrial communication from satellite
communication?
2. Which do you think is most effective and versatile between the two systems
of communication? Why?
3. In terms of range, which of the two systems has a long range? Short range?
Why is the range different between two systems?
4. In figure 2, suppose the lightning represents information about the trending
topic in social media, explain how do cellular phones receive the information
after searching for it?

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 5. Is the process of receiving a reply from a friend after you send his/her a
message follow the same process you explained in Question 4? Explain your
answer.

Activity 4. My Functions!

What to do: Below are the applications of infrared, visible light and UV light. You have
to fill in the table below by stating the types of EM waves and describe how
electromagnetic wave is used. Write your answer on the space provided.

Type of EM Application Description of how EM is used in each

Wave application

Photosynthesis

Remote Control

Fluorescent
Bulb

Banknotes

Infrared
Scanner

Activity 5A. X Ray and Gamma Ray

What to do: Write XR if the given statement describes the X Ray and GR if the
statement describes Gamma Rays.

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 1. This can penetrate even through metals. They are used in industry to
inspect welded joints for faults.
2. This EM wave has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency.
3. This EM wave is emitted by only the most energetic cosmic objects
such as pulsars, neutron stars, supernova and black holes.
4. The wave that comes after ultraviolet rays and is shorter than UV but
higher in terms of energy.
5. Because of its high energy, it could only be blocked with lead and
thick concrete.
Activity 5B. Application and Its Uses!

What to do: Fill in the necessary information on the graphic organizer to summarize
the concept about X Ray and Gamma Ray.

EM WAVE

What is X Ray? What is Gamma Ray?

Applications/ Uses Applications/ Uses

Reflection.

Me and the Electromagnetic Waves

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
 In a one whole sheet of bond paper, make any artistic creation such as poster,
slogan, poem, song, sketch, etc. that shows/describes what your life will be with
and without the Electromagnetic Waves.

Write your explanation of your creation at the back of the bond paper.

Rubric for Me and the Electromagnetic Waves

10 8 6 4
Content Content is Content is Content is Content is
presented clearly presented clearly present but not present but not
and accurate and accurate but really accurate accurate and
and all required some important and important important
concept is concepts are concepts are concepts are
presented missing. missing. missing.
Mechanics No spelling and A few spelling No more than 5 More than 6
grammar errors and grammar spelling and spelling and
in the errors in the grammar error. grammar error.
explanation. explanation. Several Explanation is
Explanation is Most explanation instances that copied.
students own is student’s own the explanation
words. word is not student’s
own word
Attractiveness Makes excellent Makes good use Makes use of Use of lettering,
use words, of lettering, lettering, sketching, color,
figures, sketching, color, sketching, color, etc. but distracts
etc. to enhance etc. but the presentation
presentation occasionally
distracts the
presentation
Creativity The output has The output has The output The output
excellent and authentic design design is design was
authentic design to present the somewhat copied copied
to present the concept
concept

References
Books
Acosta, H., Alvarez, L., Angeles, D., Arre, R., Carmona, M.P., Garcia, A., Gatpo, A.,
Marcaida, J., Olarte, M.R., Rosales, M., & Salazar, N. Science Learners Materials
10, First Edition, Department of Education, 2015, Pasig City, Philippines

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
Acosta, H., Alvarez, L., Angeles, D., Arre, R., Carmona, M.P., Garcia, A., Gatpo, A.,
Marcaida, J., Olarte, M.R., Rosales, M., & Salazar, N. Science 10 Teacher’s Guide,
First Edition, Department of Education, 2015, Pasig City, Philippines

Pictures

“Satellite Communication” Accessed October 30, 2020.

https://robotics.umd.edu/news/story/john-s-baras-inducted-into-clark-school-
innovation-hall-of-fame

“Communication network structure using Terrestrial wireless network”.

Researchgate.net. Accessed October 30, 2020. https://google.com/terrestrial
%220communication&tbm.

Answer Key:

Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar

School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar
School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com
Author: Myjoy G. Mondejar
School/Station: La Paz National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur Division
email address: mayatkim@yahoo.com