Questions

Electromagnetic Waves
1. Complete the table below for each region within the electromagnetic spectrum.

Typical
Typical
Corresponding
Region Wavelengths Possible Uses Possible Dangers
Frequencies
(m)
(Hz)

Communications (radio,
Radio 1 - 2000m 0.15 - 300MHz No proven dangers
police, military, TV)

Microwaves

Infrared

Visible Light

Ultraviolet

X-Rays

Gamma
Rays
Questions Continued
2. List the qualities that all electromagnetic waves have in common.

3. Why are electromagnetic waves given that name?

4. Radar waves are microwaves that travel at 3x108 m s −1 in air. If the waves hit an aircraft and return to the radar station
0.0001s after they were transmitted, how far is the aircraft from the station?

5. Tick the correct boxes in the table below to show what happens to the frequency, energy per photon of the waves
and the speed of the waves as the electromagnetic spectrum changes from UV rays to X-rays.

Title Increases Decreases Stays the Same

The frequency of the wave

The energy of the photon of the wave

The speed of the wave

6. Microwaves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are used to cook food. They do so by exciting the water
molecules in the food, which builds up thermal energy. There are an array of hotspots inside the oven where the mi-
crowaves superimpose with each other constructively.

a) Explain why most microwaves have a turntable.

b) Explain why the door of the microwave oven must have a good seal.