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Electromagnetic waves IB DP Physics Study Notes

Electromagnetic waves IB DP Physics Study Notes - 2025 Syllabus

Electromagnetic waves IB DP Physics Study Notes

Electromagnetic waves IB DP Physics Study Notes at  IITian Academy  focus on  specific topic and type of questions asked in actual exam. Study Notes focus on IB Physics syllabus with Students should understand

  • the nature of electromagnetic waves

Standard level and higher level: 3 hours
Additional higher level: 4 hours

IB DP Physics 2025 -Study Notes -All Topics

The nature of electromagnetic waves

  • All of us are familiar with light. But visible light is just a tiny fraction of the complete electromagnetic spectrum.
  • In free space (vacuum), all electromagnetic waves travel with the same speed v = 3.00×108 m s-1.
  • We use the special symbol c for the speed of light.

  PRACTICE:

The wavelength of a particular hue of blue light is 475 nm. What is its frequency?

▶️Answer/Explanation

Solution:

1 nm is 1×10 -9 m so that λ = 475×10 -9 m. 

c = λf so that 3.00×108 = (475×10 -9)f.

f = 6.32×1014 Hz.

IB Physics Electromagnetic waves Exam Style Worked Out Questions

Question

Which of the following gives regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in the order of decreasing frequency?

A. gamma-ray, microwave, visible
B. radio wave, infrared, microwave
C. ultraviolet, infrared, microwave
D. visible, gamma-ray, radio wave

Answer/Explanation

Answer – C

The different levels of the spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength is given below,

(1) Radio waves,

(2) Microwaves,

(3) Infrared radiation,

(4) Visible light,

(5) Ultraviolet radiation,

(6) X-rays, and

(7) Gamma rays.

Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional to each other
So, the answer will be C

Question

The graph shows the variation with position s of the displacement x of a wave undergoing simple harmonic motion (SHM).

What is the magnitude of the velocity at the displacements X, Y and Z?

Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

B

Graphical Representation of Simple Harmonic Motion

The graphical representation of displacement, velocity and acceleration of the particle vibrating in SHM is given below.

When \(x\) is zero \(v\) is maximum

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