Skip to content
QuizQuip
Sign up
Back to Chapter 2
Mark schemePDF

Chapter 2 Practice Paper: The Electromagnetic Spectrum — question paper

QuizQuipPractice Series
QQ/S4CPH/CH2

Secondary 4 · Combined Science (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

  • Answer all questions.
  • Section A: choose the one correct answer for each multiple-choice question.
  • Section B: answer in the spaces provided; show all necessary working.
  • Give numerical answers to 3 significant figures where appropriate, with units.
  • The acceleration of free fall near the Earth is 10 m/s².
  • The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s unless stated otherwise.
  • The use of a calculator is permitted.

Original practice material written for the MOE Combined Science (Physics) syllabus. It is not an official MOE or school examination paper. Chapter 2 (all EM waves transverse at the same speed in vacuum; regions in wavelength/frequency order; uses of radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma; over-exposure hazards).

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. Speed of EM waves in vacuum = 3 × 10⁸ m/s.

  1. 1

    All electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum at

    1. Adifferent speeds set by frequency
    2. Bthe same speed of 3 × 10⁸ m/s
    3. Cthe speed of sound
    4. Dzero speed
    ( )
  2. 2

    Which EM region has the longest wavelength?

    1. Agamma rays
    2. Bvisible light
    3. Cultraviolet
    4. Dradio waves
    ( )
  3. 3

    Which region is used in TV remote controls and thermal imaging?

    1. Ainfrared
    2. Bradio waves
    3. Cgamma rays
    4. DX-rays
    ( )
  4. 4

    Over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause

    1. Aimproved night vision
    2. Bstronger bones
    3. Csunburn and eye damage
    4. Dfaster hair growth
    ( )
  5. 5

    Which region has the highest frequency?

    1. Aradio waves
    2. Bgamma rays
    3. Cmicrowaves
    4. Dinfrared
    ( )

Section B: Structured questions[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Show all necessary working.

  1. 1

    This question is about the electromagnetic spectrum as a whole.

    1. (a)

      Write the seven regions of the electromagnetic spectrum as a sequence, beginning with the region of lowest frequency and ending with the highest.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      State two properties shared by all electromagnetic waves.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      State what happens to the wavelength of the waves as frequency increases across the spectrum.

      [2]
  2. 2

    Green light is an electromagnetic wave with a frequency of about 6 × 10¹⁴ Hz.

    1. (a)

      Calculate the wavelength of this light in a vacuum.

      wavelength =m[2]
    2. (b)

      A radio station broadcasts at 100 MHz. Calculate the wavelength of its waves and compare it with the light’s wavelength.

      wavelength =m[3]
    3. (c)

      Both waves travel at the same speed in vacuum despite these very different wavelengths. State the speed.

      [2]
  3. 3

    A hospital uses X-ray imaging and gamma-ray sterilisation units. A radiographer wears a lead apron and steps behind a shielded screen during exposures.

    1. (a)

      Explain why over-exposure to X-rays or gamma rays is dangerous to living tissue.

      [3]
    2. (b)

      Explain how the lead apron and the shielded screen protect the radiographer.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Explain why gamma rays, rather than radio waves, are chosen to sterilise sealed medical equipment.

      [2]

— End of paper —