Electromagnetic radiation with a photon energy exceeding approximately 10 eV10\text{ eV}10 eV is classified as ionizing because it possesses sufficient energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, risking direct chemical damage to DNA.
An emitter produces electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 7.5 × 1015 Hz. Which option correctly identifies the region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which these waves belong, and their potential to cause DNA damage through ionization?
(Take Planck's constant h=6.63×10−34 J sh = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}\text{ J s}h=6.63×10−34 J s and the elementary charge e=1.60×10−19 Ce = 1.60 \times 10^{-19}\text{ C}e=1.60×10−19 C.)
Region: Ultraviolet | Photon Energy: ≈3.1 eV\approx 3.1\text{ eV}≈3.1 eV | Classification: Non-ionizing
Region: X-ray | Photon Energy: ≈31 eV\approx 31\text{ eV}≈31 eV | Classification: Ionizing
Region: X-ray | Photon Energy: ≈3.1 eV\approx 3.1\text{ eV}≈3.1 eV | Classification: Non-ionizing
Region: Ultraviolet | Photon Energy: ≈31 eV\approx 31\text{ eV}≈31 eV | Classification: Ionizing
32 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Physics The electromagnetic spectrum. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.