Electromagnetic spectrum — Paper 2 · IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972

23 The Sun emits infra-red radiation and light. Light from the Sun reaches the Earth in 8 minutes. Which row gives correct information about the infra-red radiation? wavelength of time taken for infra-red infra-red radiation radiation to reach Earth A longer than wavelength of light 8 minutes B longer than wavelength of light much less than 8 minutes C shorter than wavelength of light 8 minutes D shorter than wavelength of light much more than 8 minutes

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2018

19 On a cold day, a shiny metal rod feels colder to the touch than a black plastic rod. Which statement explains this observation? A The metal rod is a better absorber of infra-red radiation than the plastic rod. B The metal rod is a better thermal conductor than the plastic rod. C The metal rod is a worse absorber of infra-red radiation than the plastic rod. D The metal rod is a worse thermal conductor than the plastic rod.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2018

24 Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for different purposes. Below are four statements about parts of the spectrum. statement 1: Infra-red waves are used in television remote controllers. statement 2: Radio waves are used to transmit television pictures from satellites to Earth. statement 3: Ultraviolet waves are used for intruder alarms. statement 4: X-rays are used for security checks. Which statements are correct? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2018

39 The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation X, Y and Z. X Y Z 2 mm of 10 mm of 50 mm plastic aluminium of lead Which row correctly identifies X, Y and Z? X Y Z A α-particles β-particles γ-rays B β-particles α-particles γ-rays C β-particles γ-rays α-particles D γ-rays α-particles β-particles

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2018

23 An eclipse of the Sun happens when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun. Which statement is correct? A Infra-red radiation from the Sun disappears before visible light and ultra-violet radiation. B Ultra-violet radiation from the Sun disappears before visible light and infra-red radiation. C Visible light from the Sun disappears before ultra-violet radiation and infra-red radiation. D Infra-red radiation, ultra-violet radiation and visible light from the Sun all disappear at the same moment.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2019

23 An eclipse of the Sun happens when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun. Which statement is correct? A Infra-red radiation from the Sun disappears before visible light and ultra-violet radiation. B Ultra-violet radiation from the Sun disappears before visible light and infra-red radiation. C Visible light from the Sun disappears before ultra-violet radiation and infra-red radiation. D Infra-red radiation, ultra-violet radiation and visible light from the Sun all disappear at the same moment.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2019

20 A surface is made so that it is a good source of infrared radiation. Which surface is not suitable? A a surface that is painted matt black B a surface that is painted white C a surface that is heated to a high temperature D a surface that has a large surface area

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2019

21 A large hill blocks the direct path between a transmitter of radio waves and a receiver, as shown. transmitter hill receiver The receiver picks up the signal from the transmitter even though the radio waves do not travel through the hill. Which row is correct? A possible way A stronger signal is for this to happen is received using A diffraction round the hill. longer wavelengths. B diffraction round the hill. shorter wavelengths. C refraction round the hill. longer wavelengths. D refraction round the hill. shorter wavelengths.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2019

24 The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum. radio γ-rays X-rays ultraviolet visible light infrared microwaves waves increasing … A word is missing from the label below the spectrum. Which word is missing? A amplitude B frequency C speed D wavelength

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2019

23 A narrow beam of white light passes through a prism and is dispersed into a spectrum. 1 white 2 light 3 Which row is correct? colour 1 colour 2 colour 3 A blue yellow red B red blue yellow C red yellow blue D yellow blue red

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2020

24 An intruder alarm sensor detects that a person is warmer than his surroundings. Which type of electromagnetic wave does the sensor detect? A infrared B radio C ultraviolet D visible light

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2020

21 The frequency of the microwaves used in a microwave oven is 2400 MHz. What is the wavelength of these microwaves? A 0.125 m B 8.00 m C 125 m D 7200 m

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2020

24 An intruder alarm sensor detects that a person is warmer than his surroundings. Which type of electromagnetic wave does the sensor detect? A infrared B radio C ultraviolet D visible light

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2020

22 The Sun emits infrared radiation and light. Light from the Sun reaches the Earth in 8 minutes. Which row gives correct information about the infrared radiation? wavelength of time taken for infrared infrared radiation radiation to reach the Earth A longer than wavelength of light 8 minutes B longer than wavelength of light much less than 8 minutes C shorter than wavelength of light 8 minutes D shorter than wavelength of light much more than 8 minutes

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2021

23 Which list shows regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency? A X-ray  ultraviolet  visible light  infrared B X-ray  infrared  visible light  ultraviolet C infrared  visible light  ultraviolet  X-ray D ultraviolet  visible light  infrared  X-ray

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2021

26 Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum is used by a remote controller for a television? A infrared waves B microwaves C radio waves D visible light

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2022

27 Which statement correctly compares radio waves and X-rays? A Radio waves have a longer wavelength and a greater speed in a vacuum. B Radio waves have a longer wavelength and the same speed in a vacuum. C Radio waves have a shorter wavelength and a greater speed in a vacuum. D Radio waves have a shorter wavelength and the same speed in a vacuum.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2022

26 Which type of waves are produced by a television remote controller? A infrared waves B radio waves C ultraviolet waves D visible light

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2022

27 Which statement correctly compares radio waves and X-rays? A Radio waves have a longer wavelength and a greater speed in a vacuum. B Radio waves have a longer wavelength and the same speed in a vacuum. C Radio waves have a shorter wavelength and a greater speed in a vacuum. D Radio waves have a shorter wavelength and the same speed in a vacuum.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2022

23 What is the speed of microwaves in air? A 3 × 108 µm / s B 3 × 108 cm / s C 3 × 108 m / s D 3 × 108 km / s

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2022

20 Which diagram shows the dispersion of white light by a glass prism? A B red red red white white violet violet violet C D red red red red white violet violet white violet violet

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

21 Visible light has wavelengths in the range 4.0 × 10–7 m to 7.0 × 10–7 m. What is the range of the frequencies of visible light? A 0.12 Hz to 0.21 Hz B 120 Hz to 210 Hz C 4.3 × 1011 Hz to 7.5 × 1011 Hz D 4.3 × 1014 Hz to 7.5 × 1014 Hz

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

18 Optical fibres are used to transmit digital signals using infrared radiation. The average refractive index of the fibres is 1.50. Which row describes a digital signal and gives the speed of infrared radiation in the fibres? speed of infrared radiation in the fibres digital signal m / s A a signal that consists 2.0  108 of only two values B a signal that consists 4.5  108 of only two values C a signal that consists of 2.0  108 a continuous range of values D a signal that consists of 4.5  108 a continuous range of values

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

21 A radio station broadcasts a signal with a frequency of 89 MHz. What is the wavelength of this signal? A 3.7 m B 3.4 m C 3.7 km D 3.4 Mm

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

22 A radio transmitter broadcasts at a frequency of 200 kHz. What is the wavelength of these radio waves? A 6.7  10– 4 m B 1.5 m C 1.5  103 m D 1.5  106 m

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2023

21 Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum is used for detecting fake bank notes? A radio B microwaves C ultraviolet D X-rays

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

23 Which waves are used in the medical scanning of soft tissue? A gamma rays B infrared C microwaves D ultrasound

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

22 White light enters a glass prism. The light leaving the other side of the prism is separated into colours. glass glass prism prism white white light colour 1 light colour 1 colour 2 colour 2 diagram 1 diagram 2 Which row correctly describes what happens? path taken colour 1 colour 2 by the light A diagram 1 red violet B diagram 1 violet red C diagram 2 red violet D diagram 2 violet red

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

23 Thermal radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. What is the name of this region of the spectrum? A gamma rays B infrared C ultraviolet D visible light

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

24 A remote-controlled vehicle is travelling on the surface of a planet. The vehicle senses an obstacle ahead. It sends a radio message to the control room from where it is being controlled. The control room is 2.4  106 km away from the vehicle. The control room sends a message back to the vehicle telling it to stop. What is the minimum time that elapses between the vehicle sensing the obstacle and receiving the message back from the control room? A 8.0 ms B 16 ms C 8.0 s D 16 s

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

22 Radio waves are electromagnetic waves. What is the wavelength of a radio wave of frequency 2.0  105 Hz? A 0.00067 m B 0.0015 m C 670 m D 1500 m

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

22 Satellites are sometimes used to receive and re-transmit television signals. Which row shows the type of satellite and the electromagnetic waves used? electromagnetic type of satellite waves used A low orbit infrared B low orbit microwaves C geostationary infrared D geostationary microwaves

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

39 Which statement about the Universe is correct? A The Universe consists of 100 000 galaxies. B Redshift is a decrease in the observed wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from receding galaxies. C Light emitted from distant galaxies appears redshifted. D Redshift of the light from distant galaxies gives evidence that the Universe is contracting.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

40 Which statement about the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) is correct? A CMBR now has a frequency higher than that of infrared radiation. B CMBR has always had exactly the same frequency. C CMBR had a shorter wavelength in the past. D CMBR was produced a long time after the Universe was formed.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

21 The diagram shows two narrow beams of light, P and then Q, passing through the same prism. Beams P and Q are both incident on the same point on the prism and at the same angle. P Q Which row correctly compares beams P and Q? dispersion nature of light A only Q is dispersed P is monochromatic and Q is white light B only Q is dispersed P is white light and Q is monochromatic C only P is dispersed P is monochromatic and Q is white light D only P is dispersed P is white light and Q is monochromatic

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025

22 Ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation are both parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, they differ in wavelength and frequency. Which row describes how they differ? ultraviolet infrared A longer wavelength higher frequency than infrared than ultraviolet B longer wavelength lower frequency than infrared than ultraviolet C shorter wavelength higher frequency than infrared than ultraviolet D shorter wavelength lower frequency than infrared than ultraviolet

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025

36 Which properties must a radioisotope have for its radiation to make it suitable to kill bacteria in food? half-life type of radiation emitted A less than one minute  only B several hours  only C several hours  only D several thousand years  only

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025