GCSEPhysicsOCR GatewayExam Questions5. Waves in Matter5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Electromagnetic Spectrum (OCR Gateway GCSE Physics)

Exam Questions

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5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

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5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

1a2 marks

This question is about X‐rays and visible light.

State one similarity and one difference between X‐rays and visible light.

Similarity .........................................................................

Difference ........................................................................

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1b3 marks

This graph shows how the absorption of X‐rays changes with the thickness of metal.


q16b-paper2-oct-nov2020-ocr-gcse-physics
i)
What percentage of X‐rays is absorbed by 4 mm of metal?

Percentage of X‐rays absorbed = ...................................................... % [1]

ii)
Calculate the percentage of X‐rays passing through 4 mm of metal.
Use your answer to 16(b)(i) to help you.

Percentage of X‐rays = ...................................................... % [2]

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1c3 marks

Use the words from the list to complete the sentences about the Universe.

You may use each word once, more than once, or not at all.

Big-Bang Contracting  CMBR  Expanding
LDR   Red giant Red shift Solar system







The ............................................................ is a model of how the universe began.

Light from distant galaxies has a longer wavelength when it reaches Earth than when it was emitted.

This is called ............................................................ .

Distant galaxies are moving away faster so the universe is ............................................................ .

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2a5 marks

Look at the table showing information about the electromagnetic spectrum.

Radio Micro-wave Infra-red

Visible

light

 Ultra-violet X-rays Gamma-rays
3MHz 30GHz 3THz   3000THz 3000000THz 300000000THz
100m 1cm 100μm        

The speed of all electromagnetic radiation is 3 × 108m/s.

i)
Use data in the table to show that the speed of microwaves is 3 × 108m/s.

[2]

ii)
Ultra-violet waves typically have a frequency of 3000THz.

Calculate the wavelength of these ultra-violet waves in nm.

Answer = ......................... nm [3]

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2b1 mark

Ultra-violet waves can damage human skin.

Describe the damage caused to human skin by ultra-violet waves.

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2c3 marks

Sun cream can be used to protect skin from ultra-violet waves. Sun creams have different sun protection factors (SPF).

Look at the information about a bottle of sun cream.

  This sun cream has a SPF of 10.

  If used sensibly it can allow you up to 10 × longer in the Sun without
  increasing the risk from ultra-violet waves.

i)
A doctor says ‘adults should not sunbathe for more than 20 minutes in the midday sunshine when not using sun cream’.

If an adult used sun cream with SPF 6, how long could they safely sunbathe for?

Answer = ......................... minutes [1]

ii)
The doctor says that children should always use at least SPF 50 sun cream.

Suggest reasons why.

[2]

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2d6 marks

Higher Only

 

Ultrasound and X-rays are used to scan patients in hospital.

Look at the information about these two different waves.

Name Frequency Wavelength Type Description
Ultrasound ≥ 2MHz ≤ 1.6 × 10 -4m Longitudinal Pressure sound
wave
X-rays ≥ 3 × 1016Hz ≤ 10nm Transverse Electromagnetic
wave


Ultrasound and X-rays are used to scan different parts of the patient.

Explain how ultrasound and X-rays are used and evaluate the risks and benefits of using these two different waves to scan patients in hospital.

Use the information in the table in your answer.

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