As the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation increases so does its energy. This means it can have greater effects on things it comes into contact with.
Different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation have different effects on living cells. Some radiations mostly pass through soft tissue without being absorbed, some produce heat, some may cause cancerous changes and some may kill cells. These effects depend on the type of radiation and the size of the dose.
Vitamin D3 is produced in skin exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation. Too much can lead to malignant melanoma which is a form of skin cancer.
X-radiation is used to produce shadow pictures of materials which X-rays do not easily pass through, including bones and metals. The dosage of x-rays a person receives must be monitored and limited. The higher the dose the higher the chance the person will develop cancer.
Art with X-rays
Gamma radiation is used to: kill harmful bacteria in food; sterilise surgical instruments; kill cancer cells.
Have a go at treating a tumour
X-radiation and gamma radiation mostly pass through soft tissues, but some is absorbed by the cells. High doses of ultra violet radiation, X-radiation and gamma radiation can kill normal cells. Lower doses of these types of ionising radiation can cause normal cells to become cancerous.
