Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 1PH0 · Version from Sept 2016
Describe some uses of electromagnetic radiation a radio waves: including…
Full specification wording
Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum: 5.22 Describe some uses of electromagnetic radiation a radio waves: including broadcasting, communications and satellite transmissions b microwaves: including cooking, communications and satellite transmissions c infrared: including cooking, thermal imaging, short range communications, optical fibres, television remote controls and security systems d visible light: including vision, photography and illumination e ultraviolet: including security marking, fluorescent lamps, detecting forged bank notes and disinfecting water f x-rays: including observing the internal structure of objects, airport security scanners and medical x-rays g gamma rays: including sterilising food and medical equipment, and the detection of cancer and its treatment
Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum has uses that follow from how it behaves.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PH0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 17 of 19
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum has uses that follow from how it behaves. Radio waves carry signals for broadcasting, communications and satellite transmissions. Microwaves are used in cooking, in communications and in satellite transmissions. Infrared is used for cooking, thermal imaging, short range communications, optical fibres, television remote controls and security systems. Visible light supports vision, photography and illumination. Ultraviolet is used for security marking, fluorescent lamps, detecting forged bank notes and disinfecting water. X-rays let us observe the internal structure of objects and are used in airport security scanners and medical x-rays. Gamma rays sterilise food and medical equipment and are used to detect and treat cancer. A reliable method is to group each use under its wave and check you can give at least one reason the wave suits that job.
What earns the marks
- Matches radio waves to broadcasting, communications and satellite transmissions.
- Matches microwaves to cooking, communications and satellite transmissions.
- Matches infrared to cooking, thermal imaging, short range communications, optical fibres, television remote controls and security systems.
- Matches visible light to vision, photography and illumination.
- Matches ultraviolet to security marking, fluorescent lamps, detecting forged bank notes and disinfecting water.
- Matches x-rays to observing internal structure, airport security scanners and medical x-rays.
- Matches gamma rays to sterilising food and medical equipment and to detecting and treating cancer.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Swaps the uses of microwaves and radio waves.
Put it right: Keep cooking with microwaves and broadcasting with radio waves.
Assigns optical fibres to visible light.
Put it right: State that optical fibres use infrared.
Gives ultraviolet only a lighting use.
Put it right: Include security marking, detecting forged bank notes and disinfecting water.
Attributes cancer treatment to x-rays.
Put it right: State that gamma rays detect and treat cancer while x-rays image the body.
Exam tips
- Learn at least two uses for each wave so a single distractor cannot mislead you.
- Link each use to a property, such as penetration for x-rays or heating for infrared and microwaves.
- Watch for options that name a real use but attach it to the wrong wave.
- Check the full list in the option before choosing it, since some options mix correct and incorrect uses.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum: 5.22 Describe some uses of electromagnetic radiation a radio waves: including broadcasting, communications and satellite transmissions b microwaves: including cooking, communications and satellite transmissions c infrared: including cooking, thermal imaging, short range communications, optical fibres, television remote controls and security systems d visible light: including vision, photography and illumination e ultraviolet: including security marking, fluorescent lamps, detecting forged bank notes and disinfecting water f x-rays: including observing the internal structure of objects, airport security scanners and medical x-rays g gamma rays: including sterilising food and medical equipment, and the detection of cancer and its treatment lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A television remote control sends a signal to change channels without a wire. Which type of electromagnetic radiation is used by the remote control?
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Test your understanding of Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum: 5.22 Describe some uses of electromagnetic radiation a radio waves: including broadcasting, communications and satellite transmissions b microwaves: including cooking, communications and satellite transmissions c infrared: including cooking, thermal imaging, short range communications, optical fibres, television remote controls and security systems d visible light: including vision, photography and illumination e ultraviolet: including security marking, fluorescent lamps, detecting forged bank notes and disinfecting water f x-rays: including observing the internal structure of objects, airport security scanners and medical x-rays g gamma rays: including sterilising food and medical equipment, and the detection of cancer and its treatment
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