6.6.2 Electromagnetic waves

Describe what electromagnetic waves are and explain how they are grouped

List the groups of electromagnetic waves in order of wavelength

Explain that because our eyes only detect a limited range of electromagnetic waves, they can only detect visible light

HT ONLY: Explain how different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are reflected, refracted, absorbed or transmitted differently by different substances and types of surface

Illustrate the refraction of a wave at the boundary between two different media by constructing ray diagrams

HT ONLY: Describe what refraction is due to and illustrate this using wave front diagrams

Required practical activity 10: investigate how the amount of infrared radiation absorbed or radiated by a surface depends on the nature of that surface.

HT ONLY: Explain how radio waves can be produced by oscillations in electrical circuits, or absorbed by electrical circuits

Explain that changes in atoms and the nuclei of atoms can result in electromagnetic waves being generated or absorbed over a wide frequency range

State examples of the dangers of each group of electromagnetic radiation and discuss the effects of radiation as depending on the type of radiation and the size of the dose

State examples of the uses of each group of electromagnetic radiation, explaining why each type of electromagnetic wave is suitable for its applications