OCR · GCSE · Physics
Course version: J249 · Version from Sept 2018
Give examples of some practical uses of electromagnetic waves in the…
Full specification wording
The electromagnetic spectrum: give examples of some practical uses of electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray regions
Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum has practical uses that depend on its wavelength and energy.
Checked against the OCR J249 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 9
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum has practical uses that depend on its wavelength and energy. Radio waves carry television and radio broadcasts and mobile phone signals. Microwaves heat food in microwave ovens and carry satellite and phone communications. Infrared is used in remote controls, thermal imaging cameras and toasters. Visible light lets us see, powers fibre-optic communication and supports photography. Ultraviolet is used in sunbeds, sterilising equipment and fluorescent lamps. X-rays produce medical images of bones, and gamma rays sterilise medical equipment and treat cancer. In a multiple-choice question you may match a use to a region, or pick the region used for a stated purpose. Learn one clear use for each of the seven regions and check that the option names the correct region.
What earns the marks
- Matches radio waves to a use such as broadcasting, television or mobile phone signals.
- Matches microwaves to a use such as cooking food or satellite communication.
- Matches infrared to a use such as remote controls, thermal imaging or heating.
- Matches visible light to a use such as seeing, fibre-optic communication or photography.
- Matches ultraviolet to a use such as sterilising, sunbeds or fluorescent lamps.
- Matches X-rays to a use such as medical imaging of bones.
- Matches gamma rays to a use such as sterilising equipment or treating cancer.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assigns a use to the wrong region, such as saying X-rays cook food.
Put it right by linking each use to its correct region.
Treats all electromagnetic waves as having the same use.
Put it right by giving a distinct example for each region.
Confuses ultraviolet with infrared when naming a use.
Put it right by keeping sterilising and sunbeds with ultraviolet and heating and remote controls with infrared.
Exam tips
- Learn one memorable use for each of the seven regions before the exam.
- Check that the region named in the option matches the use described.
- Eliminate options that pair a use with a region that cannot perform it.
Try the lesson
The start of the The electromagnetic spectrum: give examples of some practical uses of electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray regions lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A hospital wants to sterilise a plastic instrument that cannot be heated. Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum is used for this purpose because of its high energy?
Listen
Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum has practical uses that depend on its wavelength and energy. Radio waves carry television and radio broadcasts and mobile phone signals. Microwaves heat food in microwave ovens and carry satellite and phone communications. Infrared is used in remote controls, thermal imaging cameras and toasters. Visible light lets us see, powers fibre-optic communication and supports photography. Ultraviolet is used in sunbeds, sterilising equipment and fluorescent lamps. X-rays produce medical images of bones, and gamma rays sterilise medical equipment and treat cancer. In a multiple-choice question you may match a use to a region, or pick the region used for a stated purpose. Learn one clear use for each of the seven regions and check that the option names the correct region. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Matches radio waves to a use such as broadcasting, television or mobile phone signals. Matches microwaves to a use such as cooking food or satellite communication. Matches infrared to a use such as remote controls, thermal imaging or heating. Matches visible light to a use such as seeing, fibre-optic communication or photography. A common slip: Assigns a use to the wrong region, such as saying X-rays cook food. Instead, linking each use to its correct region. Exam tip: Learn one memorable use for each of the seven regions before the exam.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Electromagnetic spectrum
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Practical applications
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Wavelength and energy
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Communication and medicine
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See every definition
- Electromagnetic spectrum
- The range of regions whose practical uses depend on wavelength and energy, covering radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray.
- Practical applications
- Uses such as broadcasting, cooking food, remote controls, fibre-optic communication, sterilising, medical imaging of bones and treating cancer.
- Wavelength and energy
- What the practical uses of each region of the electromagnetic spectrum depend on.
- Communication and medicine
- Uses including television and radio broadcasts, mobile phone signals, satellite and phone communications, medical imaging of bones and treating cancer.
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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