Electromagnetic Spectrum Properties — OCR GCSE Combined Science B J260
OCR GCSE Combined Science B · J260
Electromagnetic Spectrum Properties
What you need to know
Describe the main groupings of the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Explain that the electromagnetic spectrum ranges from long to short wavelengths, low to high frequencies, and low to high energies.
Recall that human eyes can only detect a very limited range of frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum.
Understand that all electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through space at the same very high, but finite, speed.
Explain, using examples, how electromagnetic radiation transfers energy from a source to an absorber.
Describe how different substances absorb, transmit, or reflect electromagnetic radiation depending on the wavelength.
Explain that atomic electrons are arranged at different distances from the nucleus, and that these arrangements change with the absorption or emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Recall that atoms can become ions by losing outer electrons.
Explain how changes in molecules, atoms, and nuclei generate and absorb radiations over a wide frequency range.
Describe how gamma rays are emitted from the nuclei of atoms.
Describe how visible light, ultraviolet and X-rays are produced when the electrons in atoms lose energy.
Explain that high-energy ultraviolet, gamma rays, and X-rays carry enough energy to cause ionization when absorbed by certain atoms.
Understand that oxygen absorbs ultraviolet, forming ozone, and that ozone in turn absorbs ultraviolet, which protects life on Earth.
Describe how infrared is emitted and absorbed by molecules.
Assess the hazardous effects of ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays on human bodily tissues.
Give practical uses of electromagnetic radiation from each region of the spectrum: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays.
Recall that oscillations in electrical circuits can produce radio waves, and that radio waves can in turn induce oscillations in electrical circuits.
