AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
(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 are not strongly absorbed by the atmosphere and can diffract, making them ideal for television and radio.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Radio waves are not strongly absorbed by the atmosphere and can diffract, making them ideal for television and radio. Microwaves pass easily through the atmosphere to reach satellites, and are absorbed by water molecules to heat food. Infrared is emitted by warm objects (useful for thermal imaging) and absorbed by surfaces to heat them. Visible light travels through optical fibres via total internal reflection. Ultraviolet is absorbed by fluorescent coatings in energy efficient lamps and re-emitted as visible light. X-rays pass through flesh but are absorbed by bone for medical imaging. Gamma rays are highly penetrating and can kill bacteria or cancer cells, suiting them for sterilisation and medical treatments.
What earns the marks
- Identifying a specific property of the electromagnetic wave, such as penetrating flesh but being absorbed by bone.
- Linking this property directly to its practical application, such as X-rays for medical imaging.
- Explaining how microwaves are used for satellite communications because they pass through the atmosphere.
- Explaining that ultraviolet is absorbed by a fluorescent coating and re-emitted as visible light.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Simply stating the use without explaining the property that makes the wave suitable.
Confusing the properties of microwaves used for cooking (absorbed by water) with those for satellite communication (passes through atmosphere).
Omitting ultraviolet or gamma rays when asked to explain applications across the EM spectrum.
Exam tips
- Always structure your answer by stating the wave's property and then explaining how that property enables its use.
- Remember that energy efficient lamps use ultraviolet waves because the internal coating absorbs UV and emits visible light.
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
Explain why infrared radiation is suitable for use in a television remote control.
Listen
Radio waves are not strongly absorbed by the atmosphere and can diffract, making them ideal for television and radio. Microwaves pass easily through the atmosphere to reach satellites, and are absorbed by water molecules to heat food. Infrared is emitted by warm objects (useful for thermal imaging) and absorbed by surfaces to heat them. Visible light travels through optical fibres via total internal reflection. Ultraviolet is absorbed by fluorescent coatings in energy efficient lamps and re-emitted as visible light. X-rays pass through flesh but are absorbed by bone for medical imaging. Gamma rays are highly penetrating and can kill bacteria or cancer cells, suiting them for sterilisation and medical treatments. A strong answer earns marks for these points. identifying a specific property of the electromagnetic wave, such as penetrating flesh but being absorbed by bone. linking this property directly to its practical application, such as X-rays for medical imaging. explaining how microwaves are used for satellite communications because they pass through the atmosphere. explaining that ultraviolet is absorbed by a fluorescent coating and re-emitted as visible light. Exam tip: Always structure your answer by stating the wave's property and then explaining how that property enables its use.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
absorption
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transmission
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total internal reflection
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penetrating
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See every definition
- absorption
- Some electromagnetic waves are taken in by materials, such as microwaves being absorbed by water molecules to heat food or X-rays being absorbed by bone.
- transmission
- Some electromagnetic waves pass through materials, such as microwaves passing easily through the atmosphere to reach satellites or X-rays passing through flesh.
- total internal reflection
- The process by which visible light travels through optical fibres.
- penetrating
- Gamma rays are highly penetrating, which suits them for sterilisation and medical treatments.
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