OCR GCSE Combined Science Physics J250
Electricity
Energy
Forces
Global Challenges
Magnetism and Magnetic Fields
Matter
Radioactivity
Waves in Matter
Waves in Matter
Electromagnetic waves as transverse, and energy transfer
- 3 things to know
- Paper 6 (Physics)
Overview
Electromagnetic waves as transverse waves that cross empty space at about 3 × 10⁸ m/s, why we can see the Sun but not hear it, and how infrared, microwaves, light, radio waves and ultraviolet transfer energy from a source to an absorber, including why a black car heats up faster.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Explain why we can see the Sun but cannot hear it.
In an electromagnetic wave, in what direction are the oscillations?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What type of wave are all electromagnetic waves?
Model answer
They are all transverse waves.
- 2
Do electromagnetic waves need a material to travel through?
Model answer
No, they can travel through empty space.
- 3
What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in empty space?
Model answer
About 3 × 10⁸ m/s.
- 4
How does the speed of a radio wave compare with the speed of a gamma ray in empty space?
Model answer
They travel at exactly the same speed.
- 5
Explain why we can see the Sun but cannot hear it.
Model answer
Light is an electromagnetic wave and can cross empty space, while sound needs a material to travel through and there is none between the Sun and the Earth.
- 6
In an electromagnetic wave, in what direction are the oscillations?
Model answer
At right angles to the direction in which the wave is travelling.
Other ways to work this
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