EC-205

Engineering Electromagnetism Assignment

Advantage and disadvantage of electromagnetic waves

GAURAV KUMAR, Roll No.-108110029. 10/27/2011

Advantages of electromagnetic waves

In the field of communication:

There is no medium required for the wave to travel. Also they travel at the speed of light and this makes it good for communication for examples cell phones make use of the advantages of electromagnetic waves. Wires are not needed as they travel through air, thus, a cheaper form of communication. Microwaves (very short wave length radio waves): These waves can pass through the ionosphere, so are suitable for satellite to Earth transmission. These waves can be modified to carry many signals at one time, including data, television pictures and voice messages. Radio waves: These waves are reflected off the ionosphere, so can travel around the Earth. These waves can carry a message instantaneously over a wide area.

As an energy source:

Electromagnetic energy is clean. It is not polluting like oil and coal energy sources, nor do we have to destroy the environment to get the raw materials as electrons are everywhere. It has no radioactive components that can explode violently or produce dangerous radioactivity for thousands of years. It also is renewable--we will never run out of electrons or magnetism.

In the medical field:

According to the concepts of electro medicine most of the diseases are caused by microorganisms. The killing and destructive power of electromagnetic radiation can be used constructively for curing the incurable diseases by eradicating the disease producing pathogens and micro-organisms like bacteria, virus & fungi. These waves can be used to treat diseases like cancer tumour etc. X-rays are used for identification of fractures, sprain of bones etc.

 Some of the uses of electromagnetic wave are following: Gamma Rays- used to kill the bacteria in marshmallows and to sterilise medical equipment. X-Rays-used to image bone structures Ultraviolet light- bees can see into the ultraviolet because flowers stand out more clearly at this frequency. Visible light- Used by humans to observe the world. Infrared- night vision, heat sensors, laser metal cutting. Microwave - Microwave ovens, radar. Radio waves- Radio, television broadcasts. Light, one of the necessities of living creature of earth, is also the electromagnetic radiation. Without light there is no existence of human being or other leaving entities. There are many other advantages which we even dont know. Electromagnetic waves are essential for living of are the creatures as well as plants

Disadvantages of electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic radiation having many hazardous effects on human beings and other livings. Even most researchers have concluded that Radio Frequency (RF) waves--the proposed means of transmission--are completely safe and that RF has no effect on living tissue but it is completely true, it causes many diseases like mental stress, insomnia giddiness etc. Certain kinds of electromagnetic radiation such as ultra-violet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays are very dangerous. Excessive exposure to radiation, including sunlight, X-rays and all nuclear radiation, can cause destruction of biological tissue. UVA and UVB are different ranges of frequencies for ultraviolet (UV) light. UVA and UVB can damage collagen fibres which results in the speeding up skin aging. In general, UVA is the least harmful, but it can contribute to the aging of skin, DNA damage and possibly skin cancer.

UVB light can cause skin cancer. The radiation excites DNA molecules in skin cells, resulting in possible mutations, which can cause cancer. This cancer connection is one reason for concern about ozone depletion and the ozone hole.

 High intensities of UVB light are hazardous to the eyes, and exposure can cause welder's flash (photo keratitis or arc eye) and may lead to cataracts, pterygium and pinguecula formation. While x-rays are used significantly in medicine, prolonged exposure to X-rays can lead to cell damage and cancer.

Gamma-rays are not stopped by the skin and can induce DNA alteration by interfering with the genetic material of the cell. DNA double-strand breaks are generally accepted to be the most biologically significant lesion by which ionising radiation causes cancer and hereditary disease. Cell phone radiation and health concerns have been raised, especially following the enormous increase in the use of wireless mobile telephony throughout the world. This is because mobile phones use electromagnetic waves in the microwave range. These concerns have induced a large body of research. Concerns about effects on health have also been raised regarding other digital wireless systems, such as data communication networks. In 2009 the World Health Organisation announced that they have found a link between brain cancer and cell phones.