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GCSE Questions - Electromagnetic Spectrum

Q10. The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum.

(a) Tick the correct statement relating to the direction of the arrow in the above diagram.

The wavelength decreases and the wave speed in air increases.  
The frequency increases and the wavelength increases.  
The frequency increases and the wave speed in air stays the same.  
The wavelength increases and the wave speed in air increases  

 

[1 mark]

(b) Explain how the properties of X-rays make them suitable for the medical imaging of bones.

[2 marks]

(c) Bobby investigated the infrared radiation emitted from the sides of a hollow metal box cube.

The sides of the cube are different colours or textures.

The diagram below shows the equipment used.

Boiling water was poured into the cube. The amount of infrared radiation emitted from each vertical surface was then measured.

The table shows the results:

Type of surface
Temperature in °C
Matt black
68.0
Matt white
65.5
Shiny black
66.3
Shiny silver
28.0

(i) Boiling water is a hazard in this investigation. Suggest how the risk of harm could be reduced in this investigation.

[1 mark]

(ii) What is the control variable in this investigation?

[1 mark]

(iii) The four temperature values in the results table cannot be used to show that the infrared detector gives precise readings. Give the reason why.

[1 mark]

(iv) Bobby looked at the data in his table and concluded:

'A black surface always emits more infrared radiation than a white surface.'

Explain how using an infrared detector with a resolution of 1 °C would have affected his conclusion.

[2 marks]

(d) Albedo is a measure of the amount of solar radiation reflected by an object compared to the total solar radiation incident on the object.

A 'perfect reflector' has an Albedo value of 1.0

A 'perfect absorber' has an Albedo value of 0.0

(i) What is the Albedo value of a perfect black body?

[1 mark]

(ii) The diagram shows two points, A and B, just above the Earth's surface.

The average Albedo value of the Earth's surface is 0.3

The Albedo value of thick cloud varies between 0.6 and 0.9

At night the air at point A cools faster than the air at point B.

Explain why.

[3 marks]

(Total 12 marks)