AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to give examples that illustrate the transfer of…
Full specification wording
Types of electromagnetic waves: Students should be able to give examples that illustrate the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic waves carry energy from a source to an absorber without needing a medium, which is why energy can reach Earth from the Sun through space.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 5
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Electromagnetic waves carry energy from a source to an absorber without needing a medium, which is why energy can reach Earth from the Sun through space. A useful example is a microwave oven: microwaves generated inside the oven are absorbed by water molecules in food, increasing the food's internal energy and raising its temperature. Another is infrared radiation from a heater being absorbed by a person's skin, making the person feel warm. In each case, identify the source, the wave, and the absorber where energy is transferred. Ultraviolet from the Sun can also transfer energy to skin, causing tanning or sunburn, while visible light absorbed by a solar cell is transferred to electrical energy. The key idea is that the wave is the carrier and the absorber gains energy.
What earns the marks
- Name a source of electromagnetic waves, such as the Sun, a heater, a microwave transmitter or a lamp.
- Name the wave involved, such as infrared, microwave, ultraviolet or visible light.
- Identify the absorber and state the energy transfer, for example microwaves absorbed by food increase its thermal energy store.
- Describe a second contrasting example, such as infrared from a fire warming a person or ultraviolet from the Sun affecting skin.
- State that no medium is required, so energy can be transferred through a vacuum, as from the Sun to Earth.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that electromagnetic waves carry heat rather than energy.
Put it right by stating that waves transfer energy and heating is one possible effect when energy is absorbed.
Giving only the source without the absorber.
Put it right by naming what receives the energy and what change occurs.
Claiming that electromagnetic waves need air to travel.
Put it right by explaining that they can transfer energy through a vacuum, which is how solar energy reaches Earth.
Exam tips
- Use a three-part structure for each example: source, wave name, absorber and effect.
- Choose examples from different parts of the spectrum to show breadth, such as microwave cooking and ultraviolet causing sunburn.
- Where a numerical value is given, keep units with the quantity, for example 2.45 × 10⁹ Hz for a microwave oven frequency.
Try the lesson
The start of the Types of electromagnetic waves: Students should be able to give examples that illustrate the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following describes energy being transferred by electromagnetic waves?
Listen
Electromagnetic waves carry energy from a source to an absorber without needing a medium, which is why energy can reach Earth from the Sun through space. A useful example is a microwave oven: microwaves generated inside the oven are absorbed by water molecules in food, increasing the food's internal energy and raising its temperature. Another is infrared radiation from a heater being absorbed by a person's skin, making the person feel warm. In each case, identify the source, the wave, and the absorber where energy is transferred. Ultraviolet from the Sun can also transfer energy to skin, causing tanning or sunburn, while visible light absorbed by a solar cell is transferred to electrical energy. The key idea is that the wave is the carrier and the absorber gains energy. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Name a source of electromagnetic waves, such as the Sun, a heater, a microwave transmitter or a lamp. Name the wave involved, such as infrared, microwave, ultraviolet or visible light. Identify the absorber and state the energy transfer, for example microwaves absorbed by food increase its thermal energy store. Describe a second contrasting example, such as infrared from a fire warming a person or ultraviolet from the Sun affecting skin. A common slip: Saying that electromagnetic waves carry heat rather than energy. Instead, stating that waves transfer energy and heating is one possible effect when energy is absorbed. Exam tip: Use a three-part structure for each example: source, wave name, absorber and effect.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Transfer through a vacuum
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Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves
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See every definition
- Transfer through a vacuum
- No medium is required, so energy can be transferred through a vacuum, as from the Sun to Earth.
- Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves
- Electromagnetic waves carry energy from a source to an absorber without needing a medium.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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