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Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Waves

An electromagnetic wave is a transverse wave that transfers energy from a source to an absorber. Unlike mechanical waves, such as sound or water waves, electromagnetic waves do not need matter to travel through.

5.2 The electromagnetic spectrum Lesson

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.2 The electromagnetic spectrum

Step-by-step lessons on OCR GCSE Physics 5.2 The electromagnetic spectrum, covering 5.2.1 Electromagnetic waves in space, 5.2.2 Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves, 5.2.3 Frequency and wavelength across the spectrum, 5.2.4 Groups of the electromagnetic spectrum, 5.2.5 Visible light and the limits of human sight, 5.2.6 Light as an electromagnetic wave, 5.2.7 Uses of electromagnetic waves, 5.2.8 Hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, 5.2.9 Ultrasound and imaging inside the body, and 5.2.10 Radio waves and oscillating circuits. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Paper 2 and Paper 4 include synoptic questions that draw on Topics P1–P4, so revisit earlier topics before final exams rather than treating each paper as self-contained.

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