Electromagnetic spectrum: past paper questions
Real questions on electromagnetic spectrum
The newest 20 of 37 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
Calculate the frequency of the light. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
Calculate the wavelength of the microwaves. wavelength = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · February/March 2025 · Q10b(iii)[2]
The luminosity of the Sun is 3.8 × 10 26 W. Use the information in (b)(i) to calculate the surface temperature of the Sun. temperature = K
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(i)[2]
Show that the wavelength of the microwaves is 0.012 m.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(ii)[1]
For point A on line PQ, determine the difference in the distances Δx travelled by the microwaves from X and the microwaves from Y. Δx = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2024 · Q6b(i)[1]
State whether the frequency of the red light is greater than, less than or the same as the frequency of the original light.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2024 · Q6b(ii)[2]
State and explain the effect of this change on the number of bright fringes formed on the screen. A calculation is not required. ,
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2024 · Q5b[1]
A space telescope is designed to detect electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the range 12 μm to 28 μm. State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum for this radiation.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2024 · Q5c[3]
A detector on another space telescope detects an electromagnetic wave. The signal from the detector is transmitted to Earth and displayed on an oscilloscope as shown in Fig. 5.1. The frequency of the signal displayed on the oscilloscope is equal to the frequency of the detected electromagnetic wave. 1.0 cm 1.0 cm Fig....
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2023 · Q5b(ii)[1]
State the principal region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the waves belong.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2023 · Q7b(ii)[4]
On Fig. 7.4, sketch the variation of E with t between t = 0 and t = 0.080 s. 4 E / 10 –4 V 2 0 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 t / s –2 – 4 Fig. 7.4
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2023 · Q5a(i)[1]
State the name of the principal region of the electromagnetic spectrum for the wave.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2023 · Q5a(ii)[2]
Calculate the frequency, in THz, of the wave. frequency = THz
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(i)[2]
Calculate the power of the light from the Sun incident on the magnifying glass. power = W
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(ii)[1]
The value of r is 1.5 mm. Calculate the intensity of the light on area A. intensity = W m –2
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2022 · Q5b(i)[2]
Show that the wavelength of the waves is 8.1 × 10 –8 m.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2022 · Q5b(ii)[1]
State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which these waves belong.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2021 · Q5b[3]
Light from a laser has a wavelength of 690 nm in a vacuum. Calculate the period of the light wave. period = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2021 · Q5a(i)[1]
When audio signals are transmitted over long distances, modulation of radio waves is used. Suggest a reason why modulation is used.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2021 · Q4b[3]
A light wave from a laser has a wavelength of 460 nm in a vacuum. Calculate the period of the wave. period = s
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The majority of candidates correctly recalled c = f. Power-of-ten errors in the recall of the speed of light or in converting GHz into Hz were common. Very weak candidates occasionally used c = 330 m s–1. Another common error here was to round the correct answer 0.048 m to 0.05 m. As c is given in the data sheet to 3sf and the frequency was given to 2sf, a 2sf value for wavelength was expected.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
The majority of the candidates stated the correct principal region for the wavelength given in the question. Common incorrect answers included microwave and radio wave. There were some answers that were completely unrelated to regions of the electromagnetic spectrum such as ‘transverse waves’.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/23 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
A significant minority of candidates thought that the variation with time of the induced e.m.f. was proportional to the magnetic flux rather than to its rate of change. Candidates that did understand the laws of electromagnetic induction were usually able to achieve at least some of the credit available, and the mark scheme was structured in such a way as to enable a variety of ways of obtaining p...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/42 Q7(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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