This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Electromagnetic Spectrum for GCSE Physics. Revise Electromagnetic Spectrum in Waves for GCSE Physics with 17 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 11 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
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This topic is examined in Edexcel 1PH0/1 (Paper 1). Edexcel questions on the EM spectrum often present context scenarios — mobile phone safety, medical imaging, security scanning — and ask students to justify choice of wave type using properties and hazards.
The EM spectrum is one of the most frequently tested topics. You must know:
- The order of the spectrum (radio to gamma)
- Uses and hazards for each wave type with reasons
- Properties shared by all EM waves (transverse, c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, travel through vacuum)
- Ionising vs non-ionising — UV, X-rays, gamma are ionising
Common exam trap: "Explain why gamma rays are more harmful than radio waves." The answer must reference ionisation and DNA damage — just saying "more energy" is not enough for full marks.
Practice questions for Electromagnetic Spectrum
What is the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?
Explain the potential dangers of ultraviolet radiation to humans.