Difference between revisions of "Microwave"
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
*[[Transmit|Transmitted]] - [[Microwave]]s can pass through a [[medium]]. | *[[Transmit|Transmitted]] - [[Microwave]]s can pass through a [[medium]]. | ||
*[[Absorb (physics)|Absorbed]] - The [[energy]] [[Energy Transfer|transferred]] by [[microwave]]s can be taken in by certain [[material]]s, particularly [[metal]]s. | *[[Absorb (physics)|Absorbed]] - The [[energy]] [[Energy Transfer|transferred]] by [[microwave]]s can be taken in by certain [[material]]s, particularly [[metal]]s. | ||
| − | *[[Reflection|Reflected]] - [[Microwave]]s can bounce off an [[interface]] between two [[medium|media | + | *[[Reflection|Reflected]] - [[Microwave]]s can bounce off an [[interface]] between two [[medium|media]]. |
*[[Refraction|Refracted]] - [[Microwave]]s can change direction when they cross the [[interface]] between two [[medium|media]]. | *[[Refraction|Refracted]] - [[Microwave]]s can change direction when they cross the [[interface]] between two [[medium|media]]. | ||
====Applications==== | ====Applications==== | ||
Revision as of 22:30, 20 February 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Microwaves are the second lowest frequency and second longest wavelength electromagnetic waves.
About Microwaves
Properties
- Microwaves can cause alternating currents in metals.
- Microwaves can cause water molecules to oscillate, heating the water.
- Microwaves are transverse waves.
- Microwaves can travel through a vacuum as well as through gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
- The speed of microwaves through a vacuum is 300,000,000m/s.
As a wave microwaves can be:
- Transmitted - Microwaves can pass through a medium.
- Absorbed - The energy transferred by microwaves can be taken in by certain materials, particularly metals.
- Reflected - Microwaves can bounce off an interface between two media.
- Refracted - Microwaves can change direction when they cross the interface between two media.
Applications
- Microwaves can be used in communication because they can be created by alternating current and can cause an alternating current in metals.
- Microwaves can be used for cooking because they cause water molecules and fat molecules to oscillate increasing the temperature of the food.
Dangers
- Microwaves can cause internal heating of living creatures because they are made of water which is heated by microwaves.