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Chapter 2 Practice Paper: The Electromagnetic Spectrum — question paper

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Secondary 4 · Physics (G2 / G3)

Chapter 2 Practice Paper

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Duration: 40 minutes
Total: 30 marks
Name:
Class:
Register No.:
Date:

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

  • Write your name, class and register number in the spaces at the top of this page.
  • Answer all questions.
  • Give numerical answers correct to 3 significant figures unless stated otherwise, with units where a quantity is calculated.
  • Take the speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum as 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s.
  • The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
  • The total number of marks for this paper is 30.

Original practice material written for the MOE Physics syllabus. It is not an official MOE or school examination paper. Properties of electromagnetic waves, regions and uses of the spectrum, effects of over-exposure.

For Examiner’s Use
Section A/ 10
Section B/ 20
Total/ 30

Section A: Multiple-choice questions[10 marks]

Choose the one correct answer for each question.

  1. 1

    All electromagnetic waves

    1. Aare longitudinal waves that need a medium
    2. Bhave the same frequency
    3. Ctravel faster than sound in air but slower in water
    4. Dare transverse waves travelling at the same speed in vacuum
    ( )
  2. 2

    Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength?

    1. Agamma rays
    2. Bultraviolet
    3. Cmicrowaves
    4. Dradio waves
    ( )
  3. 3

    An FM station broadcasts at 100 MHz. The wavelength of the radio wave is

    1. A0.33 m
    2. B3.0 m
    3. C30 m
    4. D3.0 × 10¹⁵ m
    ( )
  4. 4

    Which pair matches each wave to a typical use?

    1. Ainfrared — sterilising water; X-rays — TV remotes
    2. Bmicrowaves — banknote authentication; ultraviolet — satellite TV
    3. Cinfrared — remote controllers; X-rays — medical radiology
    4. Dgamma rays — thermal imaging; radio — cancer treatment
    ( )
  5. 5

    Over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation is hazardous mainly because UV

    1. Aheats the body faster than light does
    2. Bis ionising and can damage skin cells and eyes
    3. Ctravels slower than visible light
    4. Dcannot be blocked by clothing
    ( )

Section B: Structured questions[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

  1. 1

    Listed in order: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.

    1. (a)

      State how the frequency changes along the list from radio waves to gamma rays.

      [1]
    2. (b)

      State one property (apart from frequency) that is the same for every region of the list.

      [1]
    3. (c)

      Give one typical use of microwaves and one of ultraviolet radiation.

      [2]
    4. (d)

      Name the region used in security screening at airports and state one hazard of over-exposure to it.

      [2]
  2. 2

    A mobile phone communicates with a base station using microwaves of frequency 1.8 GHz.

    1. (a)

      Calculate the wavelength of these microwaves.

      wavelength =m[3]
    2. (b)

      State why microwaves, rather than sound waves, are used for this communication.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      The signal weakens with distance from the base station. Suggest why cities need many base stations.

      [2]
  3. 3

    A hospital gamma-ray machine aims narrow beams of gamma rays at a tumour deep inside a patient’s brain.

    1. (a)

      State two properties of gamma rays that make them suitable for treating tumours deep inside the body.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Explain why the beams are arranged to cross at the tumour rather than entering from one direction.

      [3]
    3. (c)

      State one precaution the radiographer takes to limit her own exposure.

      [2]

— End of paper —