AQA · Physics · 8463

GCSE Physics: Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves

Waves · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.6.2.4. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

12 flashcards · Free to study · No account needed

Study this deck

Preparing your cards…

All questions and answers

Read through the full deck, or practise recalling each answer above.

  1. Which electromagnetic waves are used for television and radio broadcasting?

    Show answer

    Radio waves.

  2. Which electromagnetic waves are used for satellite communications?

    Show answer

    Microwaves.

  3. Name two types of electromagnetic wave used for cooking food.

    Show answer

    Microwaves and infrared.

  4. Which electromagnetic waves are used in electrical heaters?

    Show answer

    Infrared radiation.

  5. Infrared cameras detect objects by the ? radiation they emit.

    Show answer

    infrared

  6. Which electromagnetic waves are used in fibre optic communications?

    Show answer

    Visible light.

  7. Which electromagnetic waves are used in energy efficient lamps?

    Show answer

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

  8. Sun tanning is caused by exposure to ? radiation.

    Show answer

    ultraviolet

  9. Which two types of electromagnetic wave are used for medical imaging and treatments?

    Show answer

    X-rays and gamma rays.

  10. Why are microwaves suitable for satellite communications?

    Show answer

    They pass through the Earth's atmosphere without being reflected or absorbed, so they can reach satellites in orbit.

  11. Why is visible light suitable for fibre optic communications?

    Show answer

    It can be totally internally reflected along thin glass fibres with very little energy loss, carrying signals over long distances.

  12. Why are X-rays suitable for medical imaging?

    Show answer

    They pass through soft tissue but are absorbed by denser material such as bone, producing a shadow image.

Want to create your own cards? Create a free account. AI generation uses credits.