IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) · Sciences

The electromagnetic spectrum: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on The electromagnetic spectrum.

10 questions25 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

What is the main difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves?

Question 2

1 mark

A sound wave has a frequency of \(440\) Hz. If the speed of sound in air is \(340\) m/s, what is the wavelength of the sound wave?

Question 3

1 mark

Which of the following statements about all electromagnetic waves is correct?

Question 4

1 mark

A specific electromagnetic wave has a frequency of \(6.0 \times 10^{14}\) Hz. Given that the speed of light in a vacuum is \(3.0 \times 10^{8}\) m/s, identify which region of the electromagnetic spectrum this wave belongs to and calculate its wavelength.

Question 5

1 mark

Which of the following parts of the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength?

Question 6

3 marks

A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of \(94.8\) MHz. Given that the speed of electromagnetic waves is \(3.0 \times 10^8\) m/s, calculate the wavelength of these radio waves in meters.

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Question 7

5 marks

A beam of light travels from air into a transparent medium where its speed is \(1.8 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}\). Given the speed of light in vacuum is \(3.0 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}\), calculate the refractive index of the medium and the critical angle for light passing from the medium to air.

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Question 8

3 marks

A monochromatic light wave with a frequency of \(5.0 \times 10^{14}\) Hz travels from a vacuum into a glass block with a refractive index of \(1.5\). Calculate the wavelength of the light wave inside the glass block in meters.

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Question 9

4 marks

A specific type of electromagnetic wave is used for long-range communication. These waves travel at the speed of light, which is \(3.0 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}\).

(a) A transmitter broadcasts a signal with a frequency of \(1.5 \times 10^5 \text{ Hz}\). Calculate the wavelength of this signal in meters.
(b) These waves are then used to transmit data to a satellite orbiting at an altitude of \(36,000 \text{ km}\). Calculate the time taken for the signal to reach the satellite.
(c) Explain why these waves are considered transverse waves.

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Question 10

5 marks

A specific type of electromagnetic wave is used in a microwave oven to heat food. These waves have a frequency of \(2.45 \times 10^9\) Hz.

(a) Given that the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is \(3.00 \times 10^8\) m/s, calculate the wavelength of these microwaves in centimeters.
(b) Microwaves are used for both cooking and satellite communications. State one property of microwaves that makes them suitable for satellite communications.
(c) Compare the energy of a photon of microwave radiation with that of a photon of ultraviolet radiation. Explain your reasoning based on their positions in the electromagnetic spectrum.

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