AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
(HT only) Students should be able to give brief explanations why each type…
Full specification wording
Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves: (HT only) Students should be able to give brief explanations why each type of electromagnetic wave is suitable for the practical application.
Radio waves travel long distances for television and radio.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 8 of 8
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Radio waves travel long distances for television and radio. Microwaves pass through the atmosphere for satellite links and are absorbed by water in food. Infrared is emitted and absorbed by warm objects, so it suits heaters, cooking and thermal cameras. Visible light can carry signals through optical fibres by internal reflection. Ultraviolet causes fluorescence in energy-efficient lamps and affects skin pigment in sun tanning. X-rays pass through soft tissue more than bone for imaging, while penetrating gamma rays can treat tumours. Each answer should state both the useful property and the application.
What earns the marks
- Links radio waves travelling long distances to television and radio communication.
- Links microwaves passing through the atmosphere to satellite communication and microwave absorption by water to cooking.
- Links infrared emission or absorption by warm objects to heaters, cooking and infrared cameras.
- Links visible light travelling through optical fibres by internal reflection to communications.
- Links ultraviolet causing fluorescence to energy-efficient lamps and its effect on skin pigment to sun tanning.
- Links the penetrating and ionising properties of X-rays and gamma rays to medical imaging or treatment.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Giving only an application with no property.
Put it right by linking the named use to transmission, absorption, reflection, penetration or biological effect.
Saying radio waves are used for satellite links in this specification list.
Put it right by linking satellite communication to microwaves.
Replacing the listed ultraviolet uses with an unrelated example.
Put it right by explaining energy-efficient lamps or sun tanning.
Exam tips
- Use a property-because-use sentence, such as microwaves suit satellite links because they pass through the atmosphere.
- Match the explanation to the exact listed application rather than describing a different valid use of the same wave.
Try the lesson
The start of the Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves: (HT only) Students should be able to give brief explanations why each type of electromagnetic wave is suitable for the practical application. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Why are microwaves suitable for satellite communications?
Listen
Radio waves travel long distances for television and radio. Microwaves pass through the atmosphere for satellite links and are absorbed by water in food. Infrared is emitted and absorbed by warm objects, so it suits heaters, cooking and thermal cameras. Visible light can carry signals through optical fibres by internal reflection. Ultraviolet causes fluorescence in energy-efficient lamps and affects skin pigment in sun tanning. X-rays pass through soft tissue more than bone for imaging, while penetrating gamma rays can treat tumours. Each answer should state both the useful property and the application. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Links radio waves travelling long distances to television and radio communication. Links microwaves passing through the atmosphere to satellite communication and microwave absorption by water to cooking. Links infrared emission or absorption by warm objects to heaters, cooking and infrared cameras. Links visible light travelling through optical fibres by internal reflection to communications. A common slip: Giving only an application with no property. Instead, linking the named use to transmission, absorption, reflection, penetration or biological effect. Exam tip: Use a property-because-use sentence, such as microwaves suit satellite links because they pass through the atmosphere.
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