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GCSE Questions - Electromagnetic Spectrum

Q8.The diagram shows the position of three types of wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.

(a) Which letter indicates the position of visible light in the spectrum? C

[1 mark]

(b) Which one of the four statements below about electromagnetic waves is correct?

Tick one box.

Statement
Tick here
Radio waves have a higher frequency than X-rays.  
Radio waves have a longer wavelength than ultraviolet.
X-rays have a longer wavelength than radio waves.  
X-rays travel faster through the air than ultraviolet.  

 

[1 mark]

(c) Give one possible danger of exposing your skin to ultraviolet radiation.

You have a higher probability of developing skin cancer or premature aging.

For some reason giving the answer of 'sunburn' got no marks - but it is the commonest occurance after exposure.... the risk of the others is lower...

[1 mark]

(d) Having an X-ray taken exposes a person to ionising radiation.

The table below gives the average radiation dose for an X-ray of the chest and an X-ray of the upper digestive system.

Part of the body Radiation dose in millisieverts (mSv)
Upper digestive system
5.0
Chest
0.1

 

The risk of an X-ray causing cancer is about 1 in 20 000 for each mSv of radiation received.

Using the data from the table, compare the risk of developing cancer from having an X-ray of the upper digestive system with the risk from having an X-ray of the chest.

The danger of cancer in the upper digestive tract after an X-ray is 5 in 20,000 or 1 in 4,000.

The danger of cancer in the chest after an X-ray is 1 in 200,000

Therefore you are 200,000/4,000 = 50 times more likely to get cancer after an X-ray of the upper digestive tract than if you have a chest X-ray.

[2 marks]

(Total 5 marks)