- View more resources from this publisherInstitution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Mobiles and Tissues
Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation and they penetrate into human tissue. There is still a significant debate about the safety of holding even a low power microwave transmitter next to your brain or keeping it in a trouser pocket. The possibility of damage to bodies may be particularly significant during early teenage years when there are many changes in human physiology.
In this activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the hazards of exposure to microwaves are explained and students explore the risks and benefits. A microwave monitor is used to measure the microwave radiation from a microwave oven and a working mobile phone at a range of distances.
Curriculum links include: the properties of waves, electromagnetic radiation, microwaves, microwave detectors, penetration, absorption.
This resource is supported by the videos Engineering for Entertainment and Communications for Safety, and by a full set of resources in the Inform and Entertain Me collection.
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