Edexcel International GCSE Physics3c The electromagnetic spectrum Checklist

Papers 1 and 2

• I know that light is part of a continuous electromagnetic spectrum, which includes radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray radiations, and that all these waves travel at the same speed in free space.
• I know the order of the electromagnetic spectrum by decreasing wavelength and by increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible spectrum.
• I can explain some uses of electromagnetic radiations, including:•radio waves: broadcasting and communications•microwaves: cooking and satellite transmissions•infrared: heaters and night vision equipment•visible light: optical fibres and photography•ultraviolet: fluorescent lamps•x-rays: observing the internal structure of objects and materials, including in medical applications•gamma rays: sterilising food and medical equipment
• I can explain the harmful effects of too much exposure of the human body to electromagnetic waves, and describe simple ways of protecting against the risks, including:•microwaves: internal heating of body tissue•infrared: skin burns•ultraviolet: damage to surface cells and blindness•gamma rays: cancer, mutation