Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Paranaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Science 10 Quarter 2 Week 3
RADIO WAVES, MICROWAVES AND INFRARED

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

Cite examples of practical applications of the different regions of the EM
waves, such as radio waves, microwaves and infrared used in
telecommunication. (S10-FE-IIc-d-48)

Objectives
▪ Explain how radio waves are generated, transmitted, and received in
television and radio communication.
▪ Discuss how microwaves are used in cooking, radar and satellite
communications.
▪ Explain how infrared waves are used in electronic appliances, night
vision, goggles, medical diagnosis and communication.

Introduction
In the previous module, you learned about EM waves. You gained understanding of
the different electromagnetic waves and their uses. In this lesson, you will learn the
significance and uses of radio waves, microwaves, and infrared. They can be used in daily
activities at home, in communications, etc.

Let’s Recall

Directions: Identify the type of EM wave in the following applications. Write your answer on
a separate sheet of paper.

1. Making cake in an oven

2. Calling through a mobile phone
3. Watching television broadcasting
4. Heating bread in an oven toaster
5. Artificial lighting and optical fibers
6. Listening to music in transistor radio
7. Medical use and engineering application
8. Remote control in household appliances
9. Radiation in treating or killing of cancer cells
10. Medical use and engineering application

Let’s Understand

Among the EM waves in the EM spectrum, radio waves, microwaves and infrared are mostly
used in communications.
Table 1. Applications/uses of Radio waves, Microwaves and Infrared
Source: Science 10 Learners Module pp.150-159

EM Spectrum Example Description

Radio waves have a wide range of

1. Radio wavelengths. It is divided into smaller
waves stations or wavebands. This can be used
for. communication. The repeater receives
https://www.google.com the signal and re-transmits it to the
.ph/search?q=radio+wa receiving station. Radio waves have the
ves longest wavelength in the EM spectrum.
They are produced by making electrons
vibrate in an antenna and used to transmit
sound and picture information over long
distances. Their wavelengths are below
nm.
Radio waves are the EM waves found at
the left end of EM spectrum (arranged
from low frequencies to high frequencies).
They longest wavelength but they are low
frequencies thereby carrying the lowest
energy among the EM waves.

Characteristics:
1. Not line of sight
2. Can pass through walls
3. Longer range
4. Not light sensitive

Disadvantages of radio wave

1. Communication devices that make use
of the same frequencies interfere with
transmission.
2. It is easier to “eavesdrop” since signals
are transmitted in space rather than a wire.
3. Much expensive/costly than infrared.

2. Microwaves Microwaves can penetrate the atmosphere

of the earth. This is the reason why they
are used for satellite communications.
Communication satellites travel around the
earth at an altitude of 35,000 km above the
equator. Antennae are mounted to point in
fixed directions towards these satellites.
The signal of microwave is transmitted by
an antenna to a satellite which amplifies
https://www.google. and retransmits the signal to an antenna in
com.ph/search?q= other parts of the world. This is how we
microwaves communicate with the rest of the world.
They have short wavelengths and are
reflected by small objects. This property is
used in radar. Radar is the acronym of

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detection and ranging. Microwaves have
smaller wavelengths than radio waves.
They are used in satellite communication,
radar, television transmission and cooking.
Their wavelengths range from 1nm to
25um.

Microwaves are used in texting, cooking,

and communications.

It can be used in:

1. satellite communication
2. radars
3. Tv transmission
4. Microwave oven

How to use a microwave?

1. Heat from the oven produce
microwaves.
2. The heat of microwaves are sent to the
reflecting fan.
3. The microwaves are reflected in many
directions by the fan and the walls of the
microwave oven. This can produce too
much heat due to high temperature.
4. As microwaves pass through the food
that must be heated, they transfer heat
energy to the water molecules from food in
the form of heat. This will cook the food
faster.

Infrared radiation lies beyond the red end

3.Infrared of visible light. It is emitted by all objects.
The amount and wavelength of radiation
depend on the degree of temperature.
Below 5000C, an object emits only infrared
radiation. Above 5000C, an object glows
and emits both infrared and some visible
light. Our bodies radiate infrared and
Source:https://www.goo under infrared cameras or a night goggle,
gle.com.ph/search?q=in our images appear in a variety of colors.
frared+thermal+scanner
The differences in color determine the
temperature.

Uses of infrared radiations:

1.Infrared photographs taken from a
satellite with special films provide useful
details on the vegetation of the earth
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, and other electronic
appliances.

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4.Infrared telescopes are used in
monitoring the dark place.
5.Autofocus cameras has a transmitter
that sends out infrared pulses.

Infrared is also used in the following

devices:
1.Augmentative communication devices
2 Car locking system
3.Computers (mouse, keyboards, and
printers)
4. Emergency response system
5. Headphones
6. Home security systems
7. Navigation system
8. Signages
9. Telephones
10. Electronic toys

Advantages of Infrared waves are:

1.It lowers the power requirements that
makes it compatible to laptops, and other
high-tech devices.
2.It has low circuitry costs.

Disadvantages of Infrared waves are:

1.The transmitters and receivers should be
in correct alignment to connect and
communicate.
2. It can be blocked by common materials.

Let’s Apply

I. Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the guide questions. Write your answers
on a separate answer sheet.

Assume that you have a battery operated/transistor radio with

antenna and try to hit the metal fork at the end of the antenna, cover it tightly
the antennae using electrical tape as insulator and try to turn on the radio
AM or FM. At 15 cm from the radio slap or hit again by metal fork, the end
of the wire across the end of antenna. Observe what happens to its sound
wave. Answer the following question below. Copy and write your answer on
the answer sheet provided.

Guide Questions:
1.What happens when you hit the metal fork at the end of
antenna?
2. How does changing the position affect the results?
3. What might be the cause when you sometimes hear the
static sound in your radio? What can you done to resolve
it?

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II. Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the guide questions. Write your
answers on a separate answer sheet.

Assume that you have a microwave oven, and you are asked to bake
a banana loaf bread inside on it. You turn on the oven, set the time and
temperature. As the temperature increases the microwaves pass through
bread, it absorbed the water from the prepared mixtures (bread), they
transfer energy to the water molecules in the form of heat. The bread will
expand and cooked faster due to increase temperature.

Guide Question:
1.Why do you set the time and temperature in making
of bread in an oven.
2. What might happen to the bread present in an oven
as temperature increases?

III. Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct if FALSE change the incorrect
underline word. Write your answers on a separate answer sheet of paper.
1. The night- vision goggles make use of microwave.
2. Infrared remote controls are used in TV, video, cassette recorders and
other electronic appliances.
3. Radio waves are used in in communication devices, car locking system
and computers.
4. Microwaves are reflected in many directions by the fan and the walls of
the microwave oven during baking of or cooking of food.
5. Radio waves scanners are used to show the temperature variation of the
body. This can be used for medical diagnosis.

Let’s Analyze

Directions: Study and analyze figure 1. Choose your answer in the given clues using the
indicated acronym. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Figure 1. EM Spectrum
Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=electromagnetic+spectrum& source

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CLUES:
IR (Infrared ray) RW (Radio wave) MW (Microwave)

1. This is used in communication with approximate wavelength is just like a

building.
2. This is somewhat like the size of a needle point.
3. This is somewhat same as the size of a human.
4. This has a frequency of around 1012 Hz.
5. This has the second longest wavelength.
6. This has a wavelength of 10-2 meter.
7. This is somewhat same as the size of a butterfly.
8. This has a frequency of around 104 Hz.

Let’s Try

Directions: Read each question carefully and write the letter of your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Which electromagnetic wave holds less energy than the others?

A. Microwave B. Radio wave C. UV radiation D. Visible light
2. Which electromagnetic wave is also called heat ray?
A. Gamma ray B. Infrared ray C. Radio wave D. Visible light
3. Which electromagnetic wave can be used in baking and heating of food?
A. Infrared ray B. Microwave C. Radio wave D. X-ray
4. Which electromagnetic wave can be used in signages and
telecommunications?
A. Infrared ray B. Microwave C. Radio wave D. UV radiation
5. Which electromagnetic wave possesses the highest energy and shortest
wavelength?
A. Gamma ray B. Infrared rays C. Microwaves D. Gamma rays
6. Which electromagnetic wave can be used in satellite and
telecommunication?
A. Gamma rays B. Infrared C. Microwaves D. Radio waves
7.What electromagnetic wave can have longer wavelength than
microwaves and infrared waves?
A. Gamma rays B. Infrared C. Microwaves D. Radio waves
8. Which statement is NOT a useful application of infrared
radiation?
A. Some night vision goggles use infrared radiation.
B. Infrared photograph is not taken from satellite with special film provide
useful details of the vegetation on the Earth’s surface.
C. Infrared scanners can be used to show the temperature variation of the
body.
D. Infrared remote controls are used in TV’s, video, cassette recorders,
and other.

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9. Which statement BEST describe a microwave signal?
A. It is transmitted by an antenna to a satellite which amplifies and re-
transmit. the signal to an antenna in other parts of the world.
B. It is not transmitted by an antenna to a satellite which amplifies and
re-transmit the signal to an antenna in other parts of the world.
C. It is transmitted by an antenna to a satellite which do not amplifies.
and re-transmit the signal to an antenna in other parts of the world.
D. It is transmitted by an antenna and microphone to a satellite which
amplifies and re-transmit the signal to an antenna in other parts of the
world.
10.Which set is NOT an application of infrared radiation?

A. Keyboards, printers, and signages,radars

B. Headphones, navigation system, and car locking systems
C. Telephones, computers, and emergency response system
D. Home security system, some toys, and medical treatment

Let’s Create

Goal: Your task is to create a Thank You Letter to radio wave, microwave and infrared ray
for their uses which make our lives more convenient. Use short bond paper and any drawing
tool to design your output more creatively.

Role: You have been asked to gather data about the applications/uses of radio wave,
microwave and infrared ray.

Audience: The student, parent /guardian and teacher will serve as evaluators about the
applications/uses of radio wave, microwave and infrared ray.

Situation: Reading of the practical applications/uses of EM waves can be easily understood

by understanding the science concepts involved in EM waves.

Standards: You will perform this for 2 days. As soon as you finish it and can be assessed
according to the rubric given by your teacher.

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Rubric for Thank You Letter “Importance of EM Wave and its Practical Applications

Criteria Points
1.Content 1 pt- Lack of information in the output.
2 pts- Incomplete information is written but
failed to complete the output.
3pts- Most information is written clearly with
supporting evidence in the output.

2.Presentation for the report 1 pt- Never gave an explanation in the output
and failed to report.
2pts-Incomplete report in explaining the
output.
3 pts-Completely deliver and explain the
output very clearly.

Creativity and Accuracy 1 pt- Satisfactorily in presenting the output but

not so visible and creative.
2 pts- Very satisfactorily in presenting the
visible and clear output.
3 pts- Outstanding accomplishment in
presenting the output with good appearance
and design.