Electromagnetic spectrum — Paper 2 · IGCSE Science - Combined 0653

37 A distant star emits a short pulse containing light waves, microwaves and radio waves. The waves travel to Earth in vacuo (in a vacuum). Which waves reach the Earth first? A the light waves B the microwaves C the radio waves D they all arrive at the same time

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2017

36 A space telescope is fitted with an infra-red detector, an ultraviolet detector and a visible light detector. An explosion on the surface of the Sun emits infra-red, ultraviolet and visible light at the same time. Which detector is the first to detect the explosion? (Space is a vacuum.) A the infra-red detector B the ultraviolet detector C the visible light detector D all three detect it simultaneously

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2017

36 Which type of electromagnetic wave is used in airport security scanners? A gamma-rays B microwaves C radio waves D X-rays

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2017

36 The diagram shows part of the electromagnetic spectrum. gamma-rays P ultraviolet Q infra-red Which row shows the missing types of radiation at P and Q? at P at Q A radio waves microwaves B radio waves visible light C X-rays microwaves D X-rays visible light

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2017

36 Electromagnetic waves are used to scan passengers’ luggage before they board an aeroplane. Electromagnetic waves are also used in a television remote controller. Which type of electromagnetic wave is used for each of these purposes? scanning television luggage remote controller A radio waves infra-red waves B radio waves ultraviolet waves C X-rays infra-red waves D X-rays ultraviolet waves

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2017

36 Electromagnetic waves are used to scan passengers’ luggage before they board an aeroplane. Electromagnetic waves are also used in a television remote controller. Which type of electromagnetic wave is used for each of these purposes? scanning television luggage remote controller A radio waves infra-red waves B radio waves ultraviolet waves C X-rays infra-red waves D X-rays ultraviolet waves

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2017

36 Electromagnetic waves are used to scan passengers’ luggage before they board an aeroplane. Electromagnetic waves are also used in a television remote controller. Which type of electromagnetic wave is used for each of these purposes? scanning television luggage remote controller A radio waves infra-red waves B radio waves ultraviolet waves C X-rays infra-red waves D X-rays ultraviolet waves

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2017

34 A radio station transmits signals at a frequency of 9.1 × 107 Hz. What is the wavelength of the radio waves? Light travels at a speed of 3.0 × 108 m / s. A 0.30 m B 0.33 m C 3.0 m D 3.3 m

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2018

36 Optical fibres are used to transmit telephone conversations. What is transmitted by the optical fibres? A electromagnetic waves with constant amplitude B pulses of electromagnetic waves C pulses of sound waves D sound waves with constant amplitude

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2018

36 Gamma rays, radio waves and visible light all travel in a vacuum. How do the speeds of these waves compare? A Gamma rays have the highest speed. B Radio waves have the highest speed. C The waves all have the same speed. D Visible light waves have the highest speed.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2018

33 The diagram shows part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Two regions are labelled P and Q. infra-red ultraviolet gamma P Q waves waves rays What type of radiation is P, and which radiation has the lower frequency, P or Q? lower radiation P frequency A visible light P B visible light Q C X-rays P D X-rays Q

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2018

36 Which list shows electromagnetic waves in order of decreasing wavelength (largest to smallest)? A gamma rays → radio waves → infra-red → microwaves B microwaves → visible light → X-rays → infra-red C radio waves → visible light → ultraviolet → X-rays D X-rays → infra-red → microwaves → visible light

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2018

35 A student is watching television. He uses a remote controller to change the programme. The remote controller uses electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves are also used to transmit the television signals from a satellite. Which row shows the type of wave used for each purpose? remote controller satellite A infra-red microwaves B infra-red radio waves C ultraviolet microwaves D ultraviolet radio waves

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2018

34 Which statement about light and infra-red radiation is correct? A Their wavelengths in a vacuum are equal. B They are longitudinal waves. C They need a medium through which to travel. D They travel at 3.0 × 108 m / s in a vacuum.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2019

28 Which labelled part of the electromagnetic spectrum is often involved in thermal energy transfer by radiation? radio gamma A B C D waves rays visible light

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2019

36 Which statement about gamma rays and radio waves is correct? A In a vacuum, gamma rays and radio waves travel at 300 m / s. B In a vacuum, gamma rays and radio waves travel at 3.0 × 108 m / s. C In a vacuum, gamma rays travel faster than radio waves. D In a vacuum, radio waves travel faster than gamma rays.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2019

34 Which electromagnetic radiation has the lowest frequency? A gamma B infrared C radio D ultraviolet

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2019

35 Four students suggest values for the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum. The students use two different units. Which value is correct? A 300 m / s B 300 km / s C 3.0 × 105 m / s D 3.0 × 105 km / s

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2020

36 Radio waves, visible light and X-rays all travel in a vacuum. Which wave travels at the greatest speed? A radio waves B visible light C X-rays D they all travel at the same speed

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2020

34 How is thermal energy transferred from the Sun to the Earth through the vacuum of space? A by conduction, convection and radiation B by conduction only C by convection only D by radiation only

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2021

32 A microwave oven uses microwaves with a frequency of 2.5  109 Hz. What is the wavelength of these microwaves? A 0.0075 m B 0.12 m C 7.5 m D 12 m

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2021

33 A microwave oven uses microwaves with a frequency of 2.5  109 Hz. What is the wavelength of these microwaves? A 0.0075 m B 0.12 m C 7.5 m D 12 m

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2021

34 A microwave oven uses microwaves with a frequency of 2.5  109 Hz. What is the wavelength of these microwaves? A 0.0075 m B 0.12 m C 7.5 m D 12 m

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2021

36 What is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum? A gamma-radiation B microwaves C sound waves D X-rays

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2022

34 Light travels at a speed of 3.0  108 m / s in a vacuum. A radio station transmits radio waves at a frequency of 9.1  107 Hz. What is the wavelength of the radio waves? A 0.30 m B 0.33 m C 3.0 m D 3.3 m

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2022

35 Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum is used in remote controllers to control a television? A microwaves B infrared C ultraviolet D visible light

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2022

34 Light travels at a speed of 3.0  108 m / s in a vacuum. A radio station transmits radio waves at a frequency of 9.1  107 Hz. What is the wavelength of the radio waves? A 0.30 m B 0.33 m C 3.0 m D 3.3 m

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2022

34 Light travels at a speed of 3.0  108 m / s in a vacuum. A radio station transmits radio waves at a frequency of 9.1  107 Hz. What is the wavelength of the radio waves? A 0.30 m B 0.33 m C 3.0 m D 3.3 m

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2022

38 The speed of light c in a vacuum is 3.0  108 m / s. Which row relates other speeds to c ? speed of light speed of infrared in glass waves in a vacuum A equal to c equal to c B equal to c different from c C different from c equal to c D different from c different from c

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2023

36 A telescope in the vacuum of space has an infrared detector, an ultraviolet detector and a visible light detector. An explosion on the surface of the Sun emits infrared, ultraviolet and visible light at the same time. Which detector is the first to detect radiation from the explosion? A the infrared detector B the ultraviolet detector C the visible light detector D all three detect radiation at the same time

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2024

36 What is the speed of infrared waves in a vacuum? A 3.0 m / s B 330 m / s C 3.0  108 m / s D 330  108 m / s

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2025

35 Visible light is electromagnetic radiation. The wavelength range for visible light is 4.0  10–7 m to 7.0  10–7 m. What is the frequency range for visible light? A 1.3  10–15 Hz to 2.3  10–15 Hz B 1.3  10–14 Hz to 2.3  10–14 Hz C 4.3  1014 Hz to 7.5  1014 Hz D 4.3  1015 Hz to 7.5  1015 Hz

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2025

36 What is the speed of ultraviolet radiation in a vacuum? A 3.0  104 m / s B 3.0  106 m / s C 3.0  108 m / s D 3.0  1010 m / s

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2025