Uses and dangers of EM radiation: Edexcel GCSE Combined Science questions
Every Edexcel GCSE Combined Science exam question on Uses and dangers of EM radiation (specification points 5.20–5.24), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
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Calculations
Q1(a)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)
The whole paper ↗Q6(c)
The whole paper ↗
All 16 questions on Uses and dangers of EM radiation, as a list
- June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a) (3 marks): Draw one straight line from each electromagnetic radiation to its correct description. (3) electromagnetic radiation description infrared used in night vision c
- June 2024, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why UVC is potentially the most dangerous ultraviolet radiation but does not cause harm to people. (2)
- June 2024, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b) (4 marks): UV radiation of wavelength 365 nm is used to detect forged banknotes. In a genuine banknote there are marks that cannot be seen using visible light. These marks
- June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (3 marks): Figure 1 shows some types of radiation that form part of the e‑m spectrum and some uses of e‑m radiation. Draw one straight line from each type of e‑m radiation
- June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why X‑rays are used to scan passengers’ bags. (2)
- June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why passengers are not scanned with X‑rays. (2)
- June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q6(a) (1 mark): The potential danger associated with the waves of the e.m. spectrum increases as (1) A frequency decreases B frequency increases C velocity decreases D velocity
- June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): The part of the electromagnetic spectrum used to detect broken bones is (1)
- June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): The part of the electromagnetic spectrum used in thermal imaging is (1)
- June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that • is used to cook food AND • has a shorter wavelength than microwaves is (1)
- June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(iv) (1 mark): The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that • is used to sterilise medical equipment AND • has a shorter wavelength than x‑rays is (1)
- November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State one way that x-rays are useful to humans. (1)
- November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State one way that x-rays are harmful to humans. (1)
- November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a) (3 marks): Draw one line from each use of wave to the matching electromagnetic wave. One line has been drawn for you. (3) use of wave electromagnetic wave to detect forged
- June 2019, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q6(a) (1 mark): Some sunglasses have photochromic lenses. Photochromic lenses are clear when the lenses are indoors but they darken in bright sunlight to reduce the effects of
- June 2019, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c) (4 marks): Ultraviolet waves cover a range of frequencies. Scientists divide this range into three types, UVA, UVB and UVC. The table in Figure 11 shows the frequency rang
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