Free Electromagnetic spectrum questions for IGCSE Physics (0625), part of Waves. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Electromagnetic Spectrum worksheet →All Waves questionsElectromagnetic waves are used in many applications.
1 Infrared radiation is used in television remote controls.
2 All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
3 Gamma rays have a longer wavelength than radio waves.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
A radio wave has a frequency of 200 MHz. The speed of electromagnetic waves is 3.0 × 108 m/s. What is its wavelength?
Answer: C
Mobile phones communicate using microwaves. Television signals are carried by radio waves.
State which has the longer wavelength.
A radio wave has a frequency of 1.5 × 10⁸ Hz. Calculate its wavelength.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | radio waves radio waves B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 2.0 m λ = c ÷ f = 3.0 × 10⁸ ÷ 1.5 × 10⁸ C1 2.0 m A1 | 2 |
The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays.
State two properties shared by all electromagnetic waves.
State one use of microwaves and one use of X-rays.
State one harmful effect of ultraviolet radiation.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | transverse; same speed in vacuum Any 2 of: transverse; travel at the same speed in a vacuum (3.0 × 10⁸ m/s); can travel through a vacuum B2 | 2 |
| (b) | cooking/communication; medical imaging microwaves: cooking / mobile phones / satellite communication B1 X-rays: medical imaging / airport security B1 | 2 |
| (c) | skin cancer / eye damage damage to surface cells / skin cancer / eye damage B1 | 1 |
This question is about the electromagnetic spectrum.
Name the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency.
State two properties shared by all electromagnetic waves.
Give one use and one harmful effect of ultraviolet radiation.
Explain why X-rays are used to produce images of broken bones, and why the radiographer stands behind a lead screen.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma radio, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays B1 all in correct order (one error = 1) B1 | 2 |
| (b) | transverse; same speed in vacuum; can travel through vacuum transverse B1 travel at 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s in a vacuum / can travel through a vacuum B1 | 2 |
| (c) | detecting fake banknotes / sterilising water; skin cancer / eye damage use: security marking / sterilising water / sun-tanning B1 harm: damage to skin cells (skin cancer) / eye damage B1 | 2 |
| (d) | X-rays pass through soft tissue, absorbed by bone; ionising, repeated exposure harmful X-rays pass through soft tissue but are absorbed by bone B1 so bones appear as shadows B1 X-rays are ionising and repeated exposure would damage the radiographer’s cells, so lead absorbs them B1 | 3 |
Infrared, visible light and ultraviolet are parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Place them in order of increasing wavelength.
Give one use of infrared.
Explain why X-rays are used to image bones.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | UV, visible, IR ultraviolet, visible, infrared B1 | 1 |
| (b) | remote controls / thermal imaging / cooking Any 1 of: remote controls; thermal imaging; electric grills; optical fibres B1 | 1 |
| (c) | absorbed by bone, pass through soft tissue X-rays are absorbed by bone B1 but pass through soft tissue, producing a shadow image B1 | 2 |
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in