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IGCSE · 3 · structured

Waves · Question 9

Waves · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

Demand
routine
Marks
8
Topics
1
Answer
Complete
structured8 marks

The electromagnetic spectrum is a family of transverse waves that all travel at the same speed in a vacuum, 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s.

  1. (a)

    State State one property, other than their speed in a vacuum, that all electromagnetic waves share.

    1 mark
  2. (b)

    Identify Identify the region of the electromagnetic spectrum used for each of the following, and give one different region for each: (i) cooking food in an oven that heats from the outside; (ii) sterilising medical equipment.

    2 marks
  3. (c)

    Calculate A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 95.8 MHz. Calculate the wavelength of the waves it emits.

    3 marks
  4. (d)

    Describe Describe one harmful effect of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and state one way of reducing the risk.

    2 marks
Ready to self-mark?Reveal the detailed answer guide
Answer overviewKey answer: any one of: they are transverse; they transfer energy; they can travel through a vacuum; they can be reflected and refracted For cooking food from the outside, the electromagnetic region is infrared radiation. (ii) gamma rays (accept ultraviolet for surface sterilisation)
01

(a)

1 mark

State State one property, other than their speed in a vacuum, that all electromagnetic waves share.

How to approach it

Answer the command word directly and use precise physical vocabulary. Include only the distinct features or facts that earn marks, without burying them in unrelated background information.

  1. 1

    any one of: they are transverse; they transfer energy; they can travel through a vacuum; they can be reflected and refracted

02

(b)

2 marks

Identify Identify the region of the electromagnetic spectrum used for each of the following, and give one different region for each: (i) cooking food in an oven that heats from the outside; (ii) sterilising medical equipment.

How to approach it

Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.

  1. 1

    For cooking food from the outside, the electromagnetic region is infrared radiation.

  2. 2

    (ii) gamma rays (accept ultraviolet for surface sterilisation)

03

(c)

3 marks

Calculate A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 95.8 MHz. Calculate the wavelength of the waves it emits.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    λ = v / f

  2. 2

    λ = 3.0 × 10⁸ / 95.8 × 10⁶

  3. 3

    λ = 3.1 m

04

(d)

2 marks

Describe Describe one harmful effect of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and state one way of reducing the risk.

How to approach it

Answer the command word directly and use precise physical vocabulary. Include only the distinct features or facts that earn marks, without burying them in unrelated background information.

  1. 1

    damage to surface cells / skin ageing / skin cancer / eye damage such as cataracts

  2. 2

    wear sunscreen, sunglasses or protective clothing; limit exposure at midday

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