# Explain why increasing the frequency of electromagnetic radiation increases the energy transferred when it is absorbed by a material.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 6.2 Interactions of electromagnetic radiation with matter · Explain · 4 marks

> Scientists use different types of electromagnetic radiation to study materials. The effect on a material depends on the frequency of the radiation used.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Each photon carries a discrete (fixed/packet) amount of energy
2. The energy of a photon increases as frequency increases
3. When a photon is absorbed its energy is transferred to the material
4. So a higher-frequency photon transfers more energy to the material per absorption event

## Key terms

- [frequency](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/frequency)
- [absorbed](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/absorbed)
- [energy](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/energy)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-increasing-the-frequency-of-b1da0238) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.