IGCSE Physics 0625 · Waves · 3.3

Electromagnetic spectrum: past paper questions

109 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: State, Complete, Calculate, Describe, Which

Real questions on electromagnetic spectrum

The newest 20 of 109 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q6a(i)[1]
Complete the sentence about a property of electromagnetic waves.
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0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q6a(ii)[2]
All electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. Describe the direction of vibration in a transverse wave.
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0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q6a(iii)[3]
The frequency of an electromagnetic wave is 7.3 × 10 15 Hz. The speed of the wave is 3.0 × 10 8 m / s. Calculate the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave. wavelength = m
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0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[2]
Complete the labelling in Figure 6.1.
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0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[1]
State the property of electromagnetic waves that increases in the direction of the arrow in Figure 6.1.
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0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6c[1]
Compare the speed of X-rays with the speed of radio waves in a vacuum. Complete the sentence. In a vacuum, the speed of X-rays is
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0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6d[1]
The different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have different uses. Describe one use for X-rays.
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0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6e[2]
Energy emitted by the Sun is mostly in three regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. State the three regions.
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0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[2]
Complete the labelling in Figure 6.1.
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0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[1]
State the property of electromagnetic waves that increases in the direction of the arrow in Figure 6.1.
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0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q6c[1]
Compare the speed of X-rays with the speed of radio waves in a vacuum. Complete the sentence. In a vacuum, the speed of X-rays is
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0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q6d[1]
The different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have different uses. Describe one use for X-rays.
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0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q6e[2]
Energy emitted by the Sun is mostly in three regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. State the three regions.
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0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(i)[1]
State the approximate speed of light in air. speed = m / s
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0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(ii)[3]
Calculate the frequency of the red light. State the unit. frequency = unit
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0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(iii)[1]
Complete the sentence. Light of a single frequency is described as light.
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0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q9b(i)[1]
The Sun emits most of its energy in three regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light is one region. State the other two regions.
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0625/42 · May/June 2026 · Q6c[1]
Visible light is one region of the electromagnetic spectrum. State the name of the region of the electromagnetic spectrum which has the lowest frequency.
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0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q11b[2]
State the meaning of the term light‑year.
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0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q11c[1]
Distant galaxies emit light as they move away from us. State the term for the increase in the wavelength of this light when observed on Earth.
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Most candidates displayed good knowledge of the concept of the light-year and were able to give clear statements of the meaning of one light-year. Limited responses • Some candidates thought that the light-year was a unit of time. • Some candidates thought that the light-year was a unit of speed.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q11(b) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates recognised that the increase in the observed wavelength of light from distant receding galaxies was redshift. Limited responses • Some candidates simply paraphrased the question by stating that the increase in wavelength was a longer wavelength. • Some candidates stated that when wavelength increases frequency decreases. This is correct but does not answe...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q11(c) (Cambridge)

The vast majority of candidates correctly identified infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation, but a number of candidates found this challenging. Centres should encourage candidates to use a mnemonic to recall the order of the main parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and to practise writing down the names as the spelling of these two was often inaccurate.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/31 Q7(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise electromagnetic spectrum

In the syllabus

3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum

Know the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of frequency and in order of wavelength
Know that all electromagnetic waves travel at the same high speed in a vacuum
Describe typical uses of the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including: (a) radio waves; radio and television transmissions, astronomy, radio frequency identification (RFID) (b) microwaves; satellite television, mobile phones (cell phones), microwave ovens (c) infrared; electric grills, short range communications such as remote controllers for televisions, intruder alarms, thermal imaging, optical fibres (d) visible light; vision, photography, illumination (e) ultraviolet; security marking, detecting fake bank notes, sterilising water (f) X-rays; medical scanning, security scanners (g) gamma rays; sterilising food and medical equipment, detection of cancer and its treatment
Describe the harmful effects on people of excessive exposure to electromagnetic radiation, including: (a) microwaves; internal heating of body cells (b) infrared; skin burns (c) ultraviolet; damage to surface cells and eyes, leading to skin cancer and eye conditions (d) X-rays and gamma rays; mutation or damage to cells in the body
Know that communication with artificial satellites is mainly by microwaves: (a) some satellite phones use low orbit artificial satellites (b) some satellite phones and direct broadcast satellite television use geostationary satellites
Know that the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 10⁸ m / s and is approximately the same in air
Know that many important systems of communications rely on electromagnetic radiation including: (a) mobile phones (cell phones) and wireless internet use microwaves because microwaves can penetrate some walls and only require a short aerial for transmission and reception (b) Bluetooth uses radio waves because radio waves pass through walls but the signal is weakened on doing so (c) optical fibres (visible light or infrared) are used for cable television and high-speed broadband because glass is transparent to visible light and some infrared; visible light and short wavelength infrared can carry high rates of data
Know the difference between a digital and analogue signal
Know that a sound can be transmitted as a digital or analogue signal
Explain the benefits of digital signalling including increased rate of transmission of data and increased range due to accurate signal regeneration

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