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CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science P3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum Exam Style Questions Paper 2

CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science Paper 2 - All Chapters

Question

Which statements about electromagnetic waves are correct?

  1. The frequency of the waves increases as the wavelength increases.
  2. The speed of the waves in a vacuum is 300 000 000 m/s.
  3. Electromagnetic waves are transverse.

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 2 and 3 only

▶️ Answer/Explanation
Electromagnetic waves travel at \(3.0 \times 10^8\) m/s in a vacuum (statement 2 correct). They are transverse waves (statement 3 correct). Statement 1 is incorrect because frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional (\(c = f\lambda\)), so frequency increases as wavelength decreases.
✅ Answer: (D)

Question

What is the speed of X-rays in a vacuum?

A. \(3.0 \times 10^2 \, \text{m/s}\)
B. \(3.0 \times 10^4 \, \text{m/s}\)
C. \(3.0 \times 10^6 \, \text{m/s}\)
D. \(3.0 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s}\)

▶️ Answer/Explanation
All electromagnetic waves, including X-rays, travel at the same speed in a vacuum: \(3.0 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s}\). This is a fundamental constant. The correct answer is D.
✅ Answer: (D)

Question

Which statement about the electromagnetic spectrum is correct?

A. Gamma-radiation has a lower frequency than visible light.
B. Infrared radiation has a higher frequency than radio waves.
C. Microwaves have a smaller wavelength than ultraviolet radiation.
D. X-rays have a larger wavelength than visible light.

▶️ Answer/Explanation
The electromagnetic spectrum, in order of increasing frequency, is: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.
Since infrared comes after radio waves in this order, infrared radiation has a higher frequency than radio waves, confirming option B.
Gamma radiation has a higher frequency than visible light (not lower), microwaves have a much larger wavelength than ultraviolet, and X-rays have a smaller wavelength than visible light, so A, C and D are all incorrect.
✅ Answer: (B)

Question

Gamma rays and microwaves are both electromagnetic radiations.
Which statement about their frequencies and speeds in a vacuum is correct?
(A)  Gamma rays have greater frequencies than microwaves and travel at a greater speed.
(B)  Gamma rays have greater frequencies than microwaves and travel at the same speed.
(C)  Gamma rays have smaller frequencies than microwaves and travel at a greater speed.
(D) Gamma rays have smaller frequencies than microwaves and travel at the same speed.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans: B

Question

Which statement about the core of an electromagnet is correct?
(A)  It is made of soft iron because soft iron is easy to magnetise.
(B)  It is made of soft iron because soft iron does not lose its magnetism easily.
(C)  It is made of steel because steel is easy to magnetise.
(D)  It is made of steel because steel loses its magnetism easily.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans: A

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