Electromagnetic waves transfer energy because stores of energy decrease when they are emitted and increase when they are absorbed.

Ionisation is the process of an atom losing or gaining electrons so become charged/becoming an ion.

Ultraviolet means EM radiation with frequencies greater than visible light but lower than X–rays.

X-rays are EM radiation with frequencies greater than ultraviolet but lower than gamma rays.

Gamma rays are the highest frequency electromagnetic waves.

Ionising electromagnetic radiation

Combined science

In A-level physics, some pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about the photon model of electromagnetic radiation and the use of electromagnetic radiation for collecting evidence about the universe or for generating images of the inside of a human body.

In the Measuring waves unit, pupils learnt about the measurable features of a wave, the relationship between them and the wave equation.

Electromagnetic waves

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generation of electricity by a solar panel

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation can transfer energy to objects. 
Match each of the following types of EM radiation with an effect that can occur when it transfers energy.

Some types of electromagnetic radiation can make an atom gain or lose one or more electrons and become charged. 
A charged atom is called an ...

Which of the following is the most strongly ionising type of electromagnetic radiation?

increasing the intensity of the radiation

increasing the frequency of the radiation

increasing the wavelength of the radiation

increasing how long exposure to the radiation lasts

Which of the following increases the potential harm when electromagnetic radiation hits a living organism?

An electron moves to a lower energy level.

Which of the following can happen when an atom absorbs radiation?

Match each of the following types of electromagnetic radiation to one of its uses.

Electromagnetic radiation that has longer wavelengths than X–rays and shorter wavelengths than light is called {{}} radiation.

have the lowest frequencies of any EM radiation.

have the highest frequencies of any EM radiation.

have frequencies higher than microwaves and lower than visible light.

Match the following types of electromagetic radiation to the correct description.

All electromagnetic waves have the same frequency in a vacuum.

All electromagnetic waves have the same wavelength in a vacuum.

All electromagnetic waves transfer energy.

All electromagnetic waves have the same speed in a vacuum.

Which of the following statements about electromagnetic waves are correct?

Which of the following types of particle is found outside the nucleus of an atom?

Match each of the following types of particle with its type of electric charge.

An atom contains 6 protons, 5 neutrons and 6 electrons. What is the overall electric charge on the atom?

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Starter Quiz