AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 5

13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Analyze properties of the electromagnetic spectrum including ultraviolet speed, wavelengths, ozone layer absorption, and visible light transmission through a filter.

Practise this question

Question

A multipart physics question about the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically focusing on ultraviolet and visible light. It includes multiple-choice questions, table-based wavelength calculations, diagram and table data analysis regarding ozone layer absorption, and a colour filter transmission sentence completion task.
Question text

05 Ultraviolet and visible light are both parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

05.1 How does the speed of ultraviolet in a vacuum compare to the speed of visible light in

a vacuum?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Ultraviolet travels at a faster speed than visible light.

Ultraviolet travels at a slower speed than visible light.

Ultraviolet travels at the same speed as visible light.

05.2 Figure 9 shows parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Figure 9

Radio waves A B C D X-rays Gamma rays

Which letters represent the positions of ultraviolet and visible light in the

electromagnetic spectrum?

[2 marks]

Ultraviolet

Visible light

05.3 Table 3 shows the range of wavelengths for different types of ultraviolet.

Table 3

Type Range of wavelength

in nanometres

Ultraviolet A (UVA) 315–400

Ultraviolet B (UVB) 280–315

Ultraviolet C (UVC) 100–280

Determine which type of ultraviolet shown in Table 3 has the largest range of

wavelengths.

To gain full marks you must calculate the range of wavelengths for each

*20* type of ultraviolet.

[3 marks]

Type of ultraviolet with the largest range of wavelengths

Figure 10 shows how different types of ultraviolet are absorbed by the ozone layer in

the Earth’s atmosphere.

Table 4 shows the relative ionising power from each type of ultraviolet.

Figure 10 Table 4

Relative

Type

ionising power

UVA Low

UVB Medium

UVC High

05.4 Explain the importance of the ozone layer in reducing the risk to people from all types

of ultraviolet.

Use Figure 10 and Table 4.

[4 marks]

05.5 The Sun emits visible light.

A student concludes that visible light is not absorbed by the ozone layer.

Give one piece of evidence that shows the student’s conclusion is correct.

[1 mark]

05.6 Figure 11 shows white light incident on a colour filter.

Figure 11

Complete the sentence.

Choose the answers from the box.

[2 marks]

absorbed radiated reflected refracted transmitted

When white light is incident on the filter, only blue light is

and all other colours of light are .

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme providing correct answers, calculation steps, levels-of-response criteria for the ozone layer explanation, and mark allocations for each part of question 5.

Question 5

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.1 ultraviolet travels at the same 1 AO1

speed as visible light 4.6.2.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.2 this order only AO1

D 1 4.6.2.1

C 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.3 A 400 – 315 = 85 (nm) three calculations correct 2 2 AO2

B 315 – 280 = 35 (nm) marks 4.6.2.1

C 280 – 100 = 180 (nm) one or two calculations correct 1

mark

(ultraviolet) C (UVC) mark dependent on all three 1

calculations being made

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.4 Level 2: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified, given in 3–4 AO3

detail and logically linked to form a clear account. 4.6.2.3

Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance 1–2

is not clear and there is no attempt at logical linking.

No relevant content. 0

Indicative content:

• ozone absorbs all of the UVC

• UVC is the most dangerous 15

• ozone absorbs nearly all (95%) of the UVB

• UVB has a medium risk

• ozone does not absorb any UVA

• ozone does not reduce risk from UVA

• UVA is the least dangerous

• the greater the ionising power the greater the absorption by

ozone

• the greater the ionising power the greater the risk

• UV damages skin cells

• can lead to skin cancer

• can cause sunburn

• UV can damage eyes

• leads to problems with eyesight

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.5 our eyes detect visible light allow it would be dark all the 1 AO1

time 4.6.2.1

allow specific effect ie plants

couldn’t grow

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.6 transmitted this order only 1 AO1

4.6.2.6

absorbed 1

Total Question 5 13

How to answer it

Electromagnetic Spectrum Study Guide

What this question tests: This question assesses your knowledge of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum properties, wave ordering, calculating wavelength ranges, interpreting graphs and data tables about ozone absorption and ionising power, and understanding the behaviour of colour filters on visible light.
Question 05.1

Comparing Wave Speeds in a Vacuum

✅ Correct Answer

Ultraviolet travels at the same speed as visible light.

💡 Key Knowledge

  • All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum (the speed of light, approximately 3×10⁸ m/s).
  • Differences in the EM spectrum are due to differences in frequency and wavelength, not speed.
Mark: 1 mark | AO1 (Recall)
Question 05.2

Identifying Positions on the EM Spectrum

✅ Correct Answers

Ultraviolet: D

Visible light: C

(Strictly this order only)

💡 Key Knowledge

  • The full EM spectrum order (increasing frequency / decreasing wavelength) is: Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma rays.
  • Looking at Figure 9, moving from left to right increases frequency. Visible light sits between infrared and ultraviolet; UV sits between visible light and X-rays.
Marks: 2 marks | AO1 (Recall & Application)
Question 05.3

Calculating Wavelength Ranges

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. UVA range: 400 - 315 = 85 nm
  2. UVB range: 315 - 280 = 35 nm
  3. UVC range: 280 - 100 = 180 nm
  4. Largest range type: Ultraviolet C (UVC)

🧠 Exam Technique & Errors

  • Mark dependency: The final mark for identifying UVC is dependent on successfully showing all three working-out calculations. Do not just guess!
  • ❌ Common Error: Subtracting the numbers in the wrong order or making arithmetic slips. Always subtract the smaller wavelength from the larger wavelength.
Marks: 3 marks | AO2 (Application & Calculation)
Question 05.4

Explaining Ozone Layer Protection

✅ Indicative Content for Level 2 (3–4 Marks)

  • Ozone absorbs all of UVC (which has the highest risk/ionising power).
  • Ozone absorbs nearly all (95%) of UVB (medium risk/ionising power).
  • Ozone does not absorb any UVA (lowest risk/ionising power).
  • Links made: Higher ionising power means greater absorption by the ozone layer, and greater risk of damage (skin cancer, sunburn, eye damage) if exposed.

🧠 Exam Technique (Level of Response)

  • To achieve top marks (Level 2), you must use data/trends from both Figure 10 (absorption percentages) and Table 4 (ionising power).
  • Clearly link the type of UV, how much is blocked by the ozone layer, and the biological risk involved.
Marks: 4 marks | AO3 (Interpretation & Explanation)
Question 05.5

Evidence Against Ozone Absorption of Visible Light

✅ Correct Answer

Our eyes detect visible light (or: it would be dark all the time / plants couldn't grow).

💡 Key Knowledge

For us to see sunlight on Earth's surface, visible light from the Sun must successfully pass through the atmosphere and the ozone layer without being completely absorbed.

Mark: 1 mark | AO1 / AO2
Question 05.6

Colour Filters and Light Transmission

✅ Correct Answers (in order)

1. transmitted

2. absorbed

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Colour filters work by subtracting specific wavelengths of light.
  • A blue filter lets (transmits) blue light pass through while absorbing all other colours of the visible light spectrum.
Marks: 2 marks | AO1 (Recall)

Topics

Physics · P6: Waves

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