Electromagnetic spectrum: past paper questions

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• Question 23May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Red, green and violet lights are part of the visible spectrum of light. What is the order of colours from shortest to longest wavelength?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Valuable objects are often marked with a special ink. In visible light, the ink cannot be seen. The ink can be seen when exposed to the right type of electromagnetic waves.

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for satellite television and for security marking?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Where do all types of electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed?

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• Question 24May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  As the Universe expands, the wavelength of electromagnetic waves reaching the Earth from distant galaxies increases. This can cause waves that are emitted in one part of the electromagnetic spectrum to be detected in another part of that spectrum.

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• Question 23Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which list shows the colours present in the visible spectrum in order of increasing wavelength?

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• Question 21Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a narrow beam of white light being dispersed by a glass prism to produce a visible spectrum. Which statement describes what happens to the frequency and wavelength of the light in observing from P to Q across the spectrum?

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• Question 22May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which list states three colours of the visible spectrum in order of decreasing frequency?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which parts of the electromagnetic spectrum complete the list of applications?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The early Universe was filled with gamma radiation. Since then, the radiation has shifted to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. How has this change affected the wavelength and speed of the radiation?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows different types of wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. | radio waves | microwaves | infrared waves | visible light | ultraviolet waves | X-rays | gamma rays | Where do all the waves travel at the same speed?

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• Question 23May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum is between visible light and X-rays?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Sun is a star that radiates energy towards the Earth. Which regions of the electromagnetic spectrum make up most of the Sun's radiation received on the Earth?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row correctly compares microwaves and ultraviolet?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Sun transfers energy to the Earth through electromagnetic radiation. What are two of the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to which most of the energy belongs?

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• Question 24May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum is used to detect fake bank notes?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  In which given region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate the least of its energy?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Radio waves are electromagnetic waves. What is the wavelength of a radio wave of frequency $2.0\times {10}^5\text{ Hz}$?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum.

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation are both parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, they differ in wavelength and frequency. Which row describes how they differ?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the speed of infrared radiation in glass with a refractive index of 1.5?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which three regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are used in the applications listed?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  The frequency of the microwaves used in a microwave oven is $2400\text{ MHz}$. What is the wavelength of these microwaves?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Visible light, X-rays and microwaves are all components of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which statement about the waves is correct?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a ray diagram for a thin converging lens. The lens forms an image of the object. The object is positioned $30\text{ cm}$ from the centre of the lens.

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• Question 21May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Three statements about red light are listed. 1 Red light is one of the traditional seven colours that make up the visible spectrum. 2 Red light has the highest frequency in the visible spectrum.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured10 marks

  Table 5.1 shows whether some energy resources are renewable and whether they cause air pollution when being used to generate electrical power. For each energy resource, complete Table 5.1 by writing yes or no in each space.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Table 7.1 lists three uses of electromagnetic (e.m.) waves. Complete Table 7.1 by adding a suitable type of electromagnetic wave for each use.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 shows the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency. Two of the regions are unlabelled. Add the correct label to each of the unlabelled regions in Fig. 5.1.

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