Pages 210–253 (Pearson), 190–237

4.4 Waves (Oxford)

Write down the order of the

electromagnetic waves, starting
with the highest energy wave.

Write down the electromagnetic

wave with the:

(a) Greatest frequency (a) (b) (c) (d)

4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 1

(b) Longest wavelength

(c) Smallest frequency
(d) Shortest wavelength

Electromagnetic wave Approx. wavelength

1x10-16 – 1x10-10

4x10-7 – 7x 10-7

1 x10-8 – 4 x10-7
Complete the table.
7x10-7 – 1x10-3

1x10-13 – 1x10-8

1x10-1 – 1x106

1x10-3 – 1x10-1
 State five properties that all
electromagnetic waves share.
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 2

Electromagnetic wave Applications

Gamma radiation

Visible light

UV

Complete the table.

Infrared

X-rays

Radio waves

Microwaves
 Explain what is meant by total Total internal reflection occurs when light is incident on a surface at an angle greater than the critical angle. Once
internal reflection. it enters the material, none of the light refracts out of the material, it is all reflected within the material.

Write down an equation that can c

be used to find the refractive index
of a material given the speed of
light in that material.
State the meaning of each of the
terms in the equation.
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 7
n=
v
n−absolute refractive index
c−speed of light in a vacuum
v−speed of light in the medium

Write down an equation for the

critical angle of light in a material.
C=sin −1 ( 1n )
State the meaning of each of the n−absolute refractive index
terms in the equation. C−critical angle of material

E.g.
Give two uses of total internal
 Optical fibres for TV and phone signals.
reflection.
 Endoscopes for internal imaging during surgery.

(a) (b) (c) 10° is less than the critical

The speed of light in diamond is
c angle – therefore, most of the
1.24 x 108 ms-1. n=
v
C=sin −1 ( 1n ) light will refract out of the
diamond and some will be
(a) Calculate the refractive
3× 108 partially reflected.
(b)
index of diamond.
Calculate the critical angle
n=
1.24 × 108
C=sin −1 ( 2.421 )
of diamond.
(c) Describe what would n=2.42(2 dp) C=24.41 ° ( 2 dp )
happen to light incident on
diamond at 10°.

The critical angle for water is (a) 40° is less than the critical angle – therefore, most (b) 50° is more than the critical angle – therefore, the
48.6°. of the light will refract out of the water and some light will be totally internally reflected.
will be partially reflected.
 (c) (d)
(a) Describe what happens to
1 c
light incident of the water n= n=
at an angle of 40°. sinC v
(b) Describe what happens to
light incident of the water 1 c
n= v=
at an angle of 50°. sin 48.6 n
(c) Calculate the refractive
index of water. n=1.33 ( 2dp ) 3 × 108
v=
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 8

(d) Calculate the speed of light 1.33

through water.
v=2.25 ×108 m s−1( 2dp)
c
n=
v

3 ×10 8
n=
1.2 ×10 8
Light travels through a material at
n=2.5
a speed of 1.2 x108 ms-1.

For which angle or range of angles

would we see total internal
C=sin −1 ( 1n )
reflection in this material?
C=sin −1 ( 2.51 )
C=23.58 ° ( 2 dp )

We would observe total internal reflection for incident angles greater than 23.58°.
 c
n=
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 9 v

3 × 108
n=
2.3 × 108
The speed of light in material X is n=1.30(2 dp)
2.3 x 108 ms-1.

Calculate the critical angle of this

material and explain what this tells
C=sin −1 ( 1n )
us.
C=sin −1 ( 1.301 )
C=50.28 ° ( 2 dp )

We would observe total internal reflection for incident angles greater than 50.28°.