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First exams 2025

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Electromagnetic Spectrum (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Physics)

Revision Note

Katie M

Written by: Katie M

Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll

Updated on

Properties of electromagnetic waves

  • All electromagnetic waves have the following properties in common:

    • They are all transverse waves

    • They can all travel in a vacuum

    • They all travel at the same speed in a vacuum

  • A vacuum is also known as free space where the speed of light is 3 × 108 ms-1

    • The speed of light in air is approximately the same as that in a vacuum

  • Since electromagnetic waves are transverse, they can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, polarised and produce interference patterns

  • There are seven principal regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, which all together form a continuous spectrum

Wavelengths of electromagnetic waves

  • The principal regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are arranged in a specific order based on their wavelengths or frequencies

  • This order is shown in the diagram below from longest wavelength (lowest frequency) to shortest wavelength (highest frequency) 

Wavelengths across the EM spectrum

4-2-3-electromagnetic-spectrum_sl-physics-rn

Energy, wavelength and frequency for each part of the electromagnetic spectrum

  • The higher the frequency, the higher the energy of the radiation

  • Radiation with higher energy is

    • highly ionising

    • Harmful to cells and tissues causing cancer (e.g. UV, X-rays, Gamma rays)

  • Radiation with lower energy is:

    • Useful for communications

    • Less harmful to humans

  • The approximate wavelengths in a vacuum of each radiation is listed in the table below:

 

EM spectrum wavelengths and frequencies

Radiation

Wavelength range / m

Radio

> 0.1

Microwaves

0.1 to 1 × 10−3

Infrared

1 × 10−3 to 7 × 10−7

Visible

7 × 10−7 to 4 × 10−7

Ultraviolet

4 × 10−7 to 1 × 10−8

X Rays

1 × 10−8 to 4 × 10−13

Gamma Rays

4 × 10−13 to 10−16

  • To alternatively find the range of frequencies, convert the wavelengths using the wave equation: c = fλ

    • Where c is the speed of light: 3.0 × 108 m s−1

Worked Example

A is a source emitting microwaves and B is a source emitting X-rays. The table suggests the frequencies for A and B.

Which row is correct?

 

Frequency emitted by A / Hz

Frequency emitted by B / Hz

A

3 × 109 to 3 × 1011

> 1019

B

1 × 1012 to 1 × 1013

3 × 1016 to 7.5 × 1020

C

3 × 109 to 3 × 1011

3 × 1016 to 7.5 × 1020

D

4 × 1014 to 8 × 1014

5 × 1013 to 7 × 1015

Answer: C

Step 1: Recall the wavelength ranges of microwaves and X rays:

  • The wavelength range of microwaves is 0.1 m to 1 × 10−3 m

  • The wavelength range of X rays is 1 × 10−8 m to 4 × 10−13 m

Step 2: Apply the wave equation to find frequency ranges:

  • The speed of electromagnetic radiation is c , so to calculate frequency f use

f space equals space c over lambda

  • The frequency range of microwaves is

f subscript l o w end subscript space equals space fraction numerator 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 8 over denominator 0.1 end fraction space equals space 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 9 space Hz

f subscript h i g h end subscript space equals space fraction numerator 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 8 over denominator 1 space cross times space 10 to the power of negative 3 end exponent end fraction space equals space 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 11 space Hz

  • This eliminates B and D because source A emits microwaves

  • The frequency range of X rays is

f subscript l o w end subscript space equals space fraction numerator 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 8 over denominator 1 space cross times space 10 to the power of negative 8 end exponent end fraction space equals space 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 16 space Hz

f subscript h i g h end subscript space equals space fraction numerator 3.0 space cross times space 10 to the power of 8 over denominator 4 space cross times space 10 to the power of negative 13 end exponent end fraction space equals space 7.5 space cross times space 10 to the power of 20 space Hz

  • Both frequency ranges match option C

Examiner Tips and Tricks

You will be expected to memorise the range of wavelengths for each type of radiation, however you don’t need to learn the frequency ranges by heart. Since all EM waves travel at the speed of light, you can convert between frequency and wavelength using the wave equation in an exam question.

Visible light

  • Visible light is the only part of the spectrum detectable by the human eye

  • Visible light has wavelengths in the range 400 - 700 nm 

    • In the natural world, many animals, such as birds, bees and certain fish, are able to perceive beyond visible light and can see infra-red and UV wavelengths of light

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Katie M

    Author: Katie M

    Expertise: Physics

    Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.

    Caroline Carroll

    Author: Caroline Carroll

    Expertise: Physics Subject Lead

    Caroline graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Chemistry and Molecular Physics. She spent several years working as an Industrial Chemist in the automotive industry before retraining to teach. Caroline has over 12 years of experience teaching GCSE and A-level chemistry and physics. She is passionate about creating high-quality resources to help students achieve their full potential.