# A hospital uses different types of electromagnetic radiation for different medical purposes. Describe the properties of X-rays that make them suitable for producing images of bones inside the body, and explain why visible light cannot be used for the same purpose.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P4.2 The electromagnetic spectrum · Describe · 4 marks

> Electromagnetic radiation covers a wide spectrum of waves, from radio waves to gamma rays. Different parts of the spectrum have different properties and are used for different applications in medicine.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. X-rays can penetrate/pass through soft tissue (flesh/muscle)
2. X-rays are absorbed by / cannot pass through bone (denser material), producing a shadow/image
3. Visible light cannot penetrate/pass through skin or body tissue (is absorbed/reflected at the surface)
4. Therefore visible light cannot reach the bones to produce an internal image

## Key terms

- [X-rays](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/x-rays)
- [visible light](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/visible-light)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-hospital-uses-different-types-of-afc9cba8) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.