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
G3 Science (Physics) · Topic 10
Begin with the complete topic lesson. Then try a short check, use the feedback to review one idea and come back later for another attempt.
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, typical uses, and heating 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 travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
- From radio to gamma, frequency increases while wavelength decreases.
- For an explained use, connect the named region to a useful interaction such as absorption, penetration or fluorescence.
- Over-exposure to lower-frequency radiation can heat tissue; X-rays and gamma can ionise and damage cells.
- Risk also depends on absorbed intensity, exposure time and the tissue exposed.
Topic and syllabus information
Electromagnetic spectrum is Topic 10 in K326 / K327 Physics component · 2027.
The lesson and questions stay at the depth required for this course.
Reviewed 9 Aug 2026
Course and syllabus information
- Course
- SEC G3 Combined Science Physics component
- Edition
- SEC G3 Combined Science Physics component 2027