Photo AI

Read the following passage and answer the accompanying questions - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 11 - 2010

Question icon

Question 11

Read-the-following-passage-and-answer-the-accompanying-questions-Leaving Cert Physics-Question 11-2010.png

Read the following passage and answer the accompanying questions. A person's exposure to radiation when using a mobile phone is measured in terms of the Specific Ab... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the following passage and answer the accompanying questions - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 11 - 2010

Step 1

Give two properties of radio waves.

96%

114 rated

Answer

  1. Radio waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 3.0imes108extms13.0 imes 10^8 ext{ m s}^{-1}.

  2. Radio waves can be reflected, refracted, or polarized.

Step 2

In a three-minute phone call, 10 g of head tissue absorbs 0.36 J of radio frequency energy. Calculate the SAR value.

99%

104 rated

Answer

To calculate the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), we use the formula:

ext{SAR} = rac{ ext{Power}}{ ext{mass}}

First, we calculate power:

ext{Power} = rac{0.36 ext{ J}}{180 ext{ s}} = 0.002 ext{ W}

Then substituting values:

ext{SAR} = rac{0.36 ext{ J}}{(10 imes 10^{-3} ext{ kg})(180 ext{ s})} = 0.20 ext{ W kg}^{-1}

Step 3

What happens to the radio frequency energy absorbed by the body?

96%

101 rated

Answer

The radio frequency energy absorbed by the body is primarily converted into heat. This energy increases the temperature of the tissues that absorb it.

Step 4

Why are radio frequency waves not very penetrating?

98%

120 rated

Answer

Radio frequency waves have a low frequency and a long wavelength, which makes them less penetrating compared to higher frequency waves. The longer wavelengths tend to reflect off surfaces rather than penetrate deeply into materials, including human tissues.

Step 5

A mobile phone converts the received radio frequency waves to sound waves. What are the audible frequency limits for sound waves?

97%

117 rated

Answer

The audible frequency limits for sound waves are generally from about 20 Hz to approximately 20,000 Hz (20 kHz).

Step 6

Give two safety precautions you should take when using a mobile phone.

97%

121 rated

Answer

  1. Keep the phone at a distance, such as using a loudspeaker function or headset.

  2. Avoid prolonged direct exposure to the phone by taking breaks during calls.

Step 7

A mobile phone transmits at 1200 MHz from its antenna. Calculate the length of its antenna, which is one quarter of the wavelength that it transmits.

96%

114 rated

Answer

To find the length of the antenna, we can use the formula:

ext{length} = rac{c}{f}

Where:

  • cc is the speed of light, approximately 3.0imes108extms13.0 imes 10^8 ext{ m s}^{-1}
  • ff is the frequency, 1200imes106extHz1200 imes 10^6 ext{ Hz}.

First, we calculate the wavelength:

ext{wavelength} = rac{3.0 imes 10^8 ext{ m s}^{-1}}{1200 imes 10^6 ext{ Hz}} \\ = 0.25 ext{ m}

Now, the length of the antenna, which is one quarter of the wavelength, is:

ext{length} = rac{0.25 ext{ m}}{4} = 0.0625 ext{ m} = 6.25 ext{ cm}

Step 8

Name an electromagnetic wave which may induce cancer. Justify your answer.

99%

104 rated

Answer

An example of an electromagnetic wave that may induce cancer is X-rays. X-rays have high energy and are ionizing radiation that can cause ionization of body cells, potentially leading to mutations and cancer.

Join the Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

;