Real-World Uses of Radiation in Technology

1. Solar Energy:

   • The sun sends out a lot of energy, about 1,366 watts per square meter, towards Earth.
   • Solar panels can change around 15-20% of this sunlight into electricity.

2. Thermal Imaging:

   • Thermal cameras are used in firefighting and security.
   • These cameras detect heat, helping to measure temperatures that go beyond 1,500 degrees Celsius.

3. Medical Treatments:

   • Radiotherapy uses radiation to tackle cancer cells.
   • Around 70% of people with cancer will get radiation therapy as part of their treatment.

4. Food Preservation:

   • Irradiation is a process that can kill up to 99% of germs in food.
   • This helps food last a lot longer—sometimes for many years!

5. Communications:

   • Microwave radiation helps send data on our mobile devices.
   • The latest 5G technology uses very high frequencies, reaching up to 100 GHz, to provide faster internet speeds.