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The Electromagnetic Spectrum Practice Problems with Solutions - IGCSE Year 10

IGCSE Year 10 | Physics | The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________ Score: _______ / 40

Gamma rays carry the highest frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum and radio waves the longest wavelength, so this Year 10 sheet pins the two ends of the spectrum first. The key also records 3 × 10⁸ m/s as the speed of all electromagnetic waves.

Key Takeaways

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Choose the correct option for each question.
1. Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum has the highest frequency?
(a) gamma rays(b) radio waves(c) visible light(d) microwaves
2. Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength?
(a) radio waves(b) X-rays(c) ultraviolet(d) visible light
3. The visible spectrum lies between which two regions?
(a) infrared and ultraviolet(b) microwaves and radio(c) X-rays and gamma(d) red and green
4. Which waves are used for television and mobile communications?
(a) radio waves and microwaves(b) gamma rays(c) X-rays(d) ultraviolet
5. X-rays are used in medicine for
(a) looking at bones(b) cooking food(c) heating water(d) lighting rooms
6. All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum. This speed is
(a) 3 × 10⁸ m/s(b) 340 m/s(c) 1500 m/s(d) 3 × 10⁶ m/s

Section B: Short Answer Type Questions (2 Marks Each)

Show all steps clearly.
7. List three uses of radio waves.
8. State the order of the electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest frequency.
9. What are X-rays used for in hospitals?
10. What is the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?
11. What is ultraviolet radiation used for?
12. Which radiation is used in microwave ovens and why?
13. What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves?
14. Why is the electromagnetic spectrum arranged in order of frequency?

Section C: Numericals & Word Problems (3 Marks Each)

Apply the concepts to solve the problems. Show all working.
15. Radio waves travel at 3 × 10⁸ m/s and have a wavelength of 3 m. Using f = c ÷ λ, find the frequency.
16. Microwaves have a frequency of 2.5 × 10⁹ Hz. Using λ = c ÷ f with c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, find the wavelength.
17. X-rays have a frequency of 3 × 10¹⁸ Hz. Using λ = c ÷ f with c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, find the wavelength.
18. A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 1 × 10⁸ Hz. Using λ = c ÷ f with c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, find the wavelength.
19. Visible light has a wavelength of 5 × 10⁻⁷ m. Using f = c ÷ λ with c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, find the frequency.
20. Gamma rays have a wavelength of 1 × 10⁻¹² m. Using f = c ÷ λ with c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, find the frequency.

Answer Key

1. a) gamma rays
2. a) radio waves
3. a) infrared and ultraviolet
4. a) radio waves and microwaves
5. a) looking at bones
6. a) 3 × 10⁸ m/s
7. Refer to solution guide.
8. Refer to solution guide.
9. Refer to solution guide.
10. Refer to solution guide.
11. Refer to solution guide.
12. Refer to solution guide.
13. Refer to solution guide.
14. Refer to solution guide.
15. Refer to solution guide.
16. Refer to solution guide.
17. Refer to solution guide.
18. Refer to solution guide.
19. Refer to solution guide.
20. Refer to solution guide.
End of Worksheet

People Also Ask

Which part of the spectrum has the highest frequency?

Gamma rays, option (a) in this worksheet (Q1).

Which part has the longest wavelength?

Radio waves, option (a) in this worksheet (Q2).

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves?

3 × 10⁸ m/s, option (a) in this worksheet (Q6).

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