Electromagnetic waves can be grouped into different types, each with different uses and hazards. State two uses and two hazards of electromagnetic waves from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. For each hazard, name the type of electromagnetic wave that causes it.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 3.2 The electromagnetic spectrum · State · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

The electromagnetic spectrum is a group of transverse waves that cover a large range of frequencies and wavelengths. All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum (3 × 10⁸ m/s). Different parts of the spectrum have different uses in everyday life but some can also be harmful to the human body.

Model answer (4 marks)

1. Radio waves – used for radio and television broadcasting.
2. Infrared waves – used in night‑vision equipment.
3. Ultraviolet waves – can cause skin cancer.
4. X‑ray waves – can cause ionising radiation damage to cells.

Examiner tips

Use the exact terminology (e.g. ‘radio waves’, ‘infrared waves’, ‘ultraviolet waves’, ‘X‑ray waves’).
Give one use and one hazard for each of two different wave types.
Keep answers short – one or two words per point is enough.
Check that the hazard matches the wave type (e.g. UV – skin cancer).

Common mistakes

Mixing up wave types (e.g. calling microwaves ‘infrared’).
Listing a hazard without naming the wave type.
Using vague terms like ‘light’ instead of a specific part of the spectrum.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

One correct use of a named type of electromagnetic wave (e.g. radio waves used for radio/television communications; microwaves used for satellite transmissions or cooking; infrared used in heaters or night vision equipment; visible light used in fibre optics or photography; ultraviolet used in fluorescent lamps; X-rays used in medical imaging or security; gamma rays used in sterilising food or medical equipment)
A second correct use of a different named type of electromagnetic wave from the first
One correct hazard paired with the correct named type of electromagnetic wave (e.g. microwaves — internal heating of body tissues/cells; infrared — skin burns; ultraviolet — skin cancer or blindness/eye damage; X-rays or gamma rays — ionising radiation causing mutations/cancer)
A second correct hazard paired with the correct named type of electromagnetic wave, different from the first hazard answer

Key terms in this question

electromagnetic spectrum · electromagnetic waves