Electromagnetic waves
(a) Microwaves and X-rays are both electromagnetic waves - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2014 - Paper 1
Question 1
Electromagnetic waves
(a) Microwaves and X-rays are both electromagnetic waves.
(i) Which row of the table is correct for microwaves and X-rays in a vacuum?
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:Electromagnetic waves
(a) Microwaves and X-rays are both electromagnetic waves - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2014 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which row of the table is correct for microwaves and X-rays in a vacuum?
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Answer
The correct answer is C: microwaves and X-rays travel at the same speed in a vacuum, but have different frequencies. This is because all electromagnetic waves propagate at the speed of light (approximately 3.0×108 m/s) in a vacuum, but their frequencies can vary greatly.
Step 2
State one harmful effect of X-rays on living matter.
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Answer
One harmful effect of X-rays on living matter is the potential to damage or ionize DNA, which can lead to mutations, causing cancer or other genetic disorders.
Step 3
State one other ionising radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.
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Answer
One other ionising radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum is Gamma rays.
Step 4
State one use of an ionising radiation.
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Answer
One use of ionising radiation is in medical imaging, specifically in X-ray machines to create images of the inside of the body for diagnostic purposes.
