Home > Subjects > Science > Level 3 > 3.6 EMR, radioactive decay, sound > Subject content
- Subject: Science
- AS: AS90732
- Level: 3
- Credits: 4
- External
3.6 Describe selected properties and applications of EMR, radioactive decay, sound and ultrasound
Subject content
Make sure you have up-to-date course notes and don't forget to use them for study. If you haven't got them see your teacher.
The topics you will be tested on will include:
- EMR (electromagnetic radiation)
- Properties will be selected from:
- wave propagation
- wave type
- wavelength
- frequency
- period
- wave velocity
- amplitude
- two point source interference
- reflection
- refraction
- diffraction
- EMR spectrum
- absorption.
- Examples of applications could include:
- shadows and eclipses
- radio wave transmission
- radio receivers
- microwave oven
- optical, radio and infrared telescopes
- photographic imaging in different parts of the spectrum
- medical diagnosis and treatment
- radar
- speed guns.
- Properties will be selected from:
- Radioactive decay
- Properties will be selected from:
- alpha and beta particles
- gamma rays
- conservation of atomic and mass number in alpha, beta and gamma decay
- half life
- isotopes
- ionisation
- penetration.
- Examples of applications could include:
- Geiger counters
- radiometric dating
- irradiation of food
- sterilisation
- medical diagnosis and treatment
- smoke detectors
- density and thickness measurements.
- Properties will be selected from:
- Sound and ultrasound
- Properties will be selected from:
- wave propagation
- wave type
- wavelength
- frequency
- period
- wave velocity in different media
- amplitude
- pitch
- loudness
- reflection
- diffraction
- transmission
- absorption.
- Examples of applications could include:
- acoustics
- ultrasound scanning
- Doppler effect
- animal communication.
- Properties will be selected from:
- You will need to know these formulae:
f = 1 / T
If other formulae are required, they will be provided.
- Use of graphs or diagrams could include reading information directly from graphs (including interpolation) and extrapolation), drawing graphs from given information or extracting information from a diagram.
- You will need to use standard form (also called standard index notation or scientific notation), correct units, and sensible rounding in solving problems.
Here are some specific sites that you may find useful in your study:
