Electromagnetic spectrum
Common transverse properties, spectrum order, typical uses, and heating and ionising hazards.
Learning goals
- State that all electromagnetic waves are transverse
- State that all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in vacuum
- Order the seven electromagnetic-spectrum regions
- Relate spectrum order to wavelength and frequency
- State typical uses of radio waves
- State typical uses of microwaves
- State typical uses of infrared
- State typical uses of visible light
- State typical uses of ultraviolet
- State typical uses of X-rays
- State typical uses of gamma rays
- Describe hazardous heating effects of electromagnetic over-exposure
- Describe hazardous ionising effects on living cells and tissue
G2 Science (Physics) · Topic 9
Read the complete lesson from top to bottom first. Pause for its examples and independent questions, then use a short topic check to decide what to practise again.
Before you begin
Build the idea in order
- Common wave nature
- Spectrum order
- Applications
- Heating and ionising hazards
Lessons
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Common transverse properties, spectrum order and trends, prescribed uses, heating hazards and ionising hazards.
Check your understanding
Electromagnetic spectrum topic check
Check the required topic capabilities and get focused practice for ideas that need another look.
What to remember
- All electromagnetic waves are transverse and share the vacuum speed.
- Frequency rises and wavelength falls from radio to gamma.
- Explain uses through the relevant interaction.
- Intense lower-frequency waves heat; X-rays and gamma ionise.
- Risk depends on absorbed intensity, time and tissue.
Topic and syllabus information
Electromagnetic spectrum is Topic 9 in K223 / K224 Physics component · 2027.
The lesson stays within G2 depth and includes the explanations, examples and practice needed for this topic.
Reviewed 9 Aug 2026
Continue with the next resource in this course.
Course and syllabus information
- Course
- SEC G2 Science Physics component
- Edition
- SEC G2 Science Physics component 2027