AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), 2022: Question 1

8 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify properties, components, and uses of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Practise this question

Question

A physics exam question about electromagnetic waves. It includes a multiple-choice question on what waves transfer, a sentence completion task about wave properties using a word bank, a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum with missing labels A and B, and a matching exercise connecting microwaves, ultraviolet, and X-rays to their specific uses.
Question text

01 There are different types of electromagnetic waves.

01.1 What do all electromagnetic waves transfer?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Charge

Energy

Matter

Sound

01.2 Complete the sentence.

Choose answers from the box.

[2 marks]

charge frequency speed wavelength

Different types of electromagnetic waves have a different

and a different .

01.3 Figure 1 shows the electromagnetic spectrum.

Figure 1

Give the names of parts A and B of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[2 marks]

A

B 3

01.4 Different types of electromagnetic waves have different uses.

Draw one line from each type of electromagnetic wave to its use.

[3 marks]

Type of electromagnetic

Use

wave

Electrical heaters

Microwaves

Energy efficient lamps

Ultraviolet

Imaging bones

X-rays

Satellite communications

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for the electromagnetic waves question. It specifies 'energy' for 01.1; 'frequency' and 'wavelength' for 01.2; 'visible light' for A and 'gamma' for B in 01.3; and matches Microwaves to satellite communications, Ultraviolet to energy efficient lamps, and X-rays to imaging bones for 01.4.

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 energy 1 AO1

6.6.2.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.2 either order AO1

frequency 1 6.6.2.1

wavelength 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 A = visible light allow visible 1 AO1

allow light 6.6.2.1

B = gamma (rays / waves / 1

radiation)

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 AO1

6.6.2.4

additional line from a box on the left negates the mark for that box

Total Question 1 8

How to answer it

Properties and Uses of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

What this question tests

This question assesses your fundamental knowledge of the Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum. You need to recall the general properties of EM waves (energy transfer), the order of the spectrum, and specific everyday applications for different types of radiation.

Part 01.1

Wave Fundamentals

Correct Answer

Energy

[1 mark]

Key Knowledge

  • All waves (mechanical and EM) transfer energy from one place to another.
  • Waves do not transfer matter.

Common Error

Students often confuse "Sound" as a property of EM waves. Remember: Sound is a mechanical wave and requires a medium; EM waves are oscillations of electric and magnetic fields and can travel through a vacuum.

Part 01.2

Properties of EM Waves

Correct Answer

Different types of electromagnetic waves have a different frequency and a different wavelength.

[2 marks]

Exam Technique

The question asks you to choose from a box. Always cross out the words you've used. In this case, "speed" is a distractor because all EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum (3 × 10&sup8; m/s).

Part 01.3

The EM Spectrum Order

Correct Answer

  • A: Visible light (or just "light")
  • B: Gamma rays (or "gamma radiation")
[2 marks]

Key Knowledge

Memorise the order from longest wavelength to shortest:

Radio → Micro → Infrared → Visible → UV → X-rays → Gamma

Mnemonic: Rich Men In Vegas Use X-ray Glasses.

Part 01.4

Matching Uses to Waves

Correct Answer

  • Microwaves → Satellite communications
  • Ultraviolet → Energy efficient lamps
  • X-rays → Imaging bones
[3 marks]

Examiner Commentary

Be careful with your lines! The mark scheme states that an additional line from a box on the left negates the mark. If you draw two lines from "Microwaves", you get 0 marks for that row, even if one is correct.

Why these uses?

  • Microwaves: Can pass through the Earth's atmosphere to reach satellites.
  • UV: Fluorescent chemicals inside energy-efficient bulbs absorb UV and re-emit it as visible light.
  • X-rays: Pass through soft tissue but are absorbed by dense bone.

Topics

Physics · P6: Waves

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.