Ionising electromagnetic radiation | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Electromagnetic radiation that has longer wavelengths than X–rays and shorter wavelengths than light is called ___ radiation.

Answer explanation

Ultraviolet (UV) waves have longer wavelengths than X–rays and shorter wavelengths than violet light (which is the colour of visible light with the shortest wavelength).

Match the following types of electromagetic radiation to the correct description.

• Gamma rays ...

• have frequencies higher than microwaves and lower than visible light.

• Infrared waves ...

• have the highest frequencies of any EM radiation.

• Radio waves ...

• have the lowest frequencies of any EM radiation.

Answer explanation

The order of frequencies of electromagnetic radiations, from lowest to highest, is: radio, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X–rays and gamma rays.

Which of the following statements about electromagnetic waves are correct?

• All electromagnetic waves have the same frequency in a vacuum.

• All electromagnetic waves have the same wavelength in a vacuum.

• All electromagnetic waves transfer energy.

• All electromagnetic waves have the same speed in a vacuum.

Answer explanation

All waves transfer energy from one place (or object) to another as they travel. Different types of electromagnetic wave all travel at the same speed in a vacuum, but have different wavelengths and frequencies.

Which of the following types of particle is found outside the nucleus of an atom?

• electron

• neutron

• proton

Answer explanation

Electrons are found outside the nucleus in an atom. The nucleus at the centre of an atom contains protons, and usually neutrons as well.

Match each of the following types of particle with its type of electric charge.

• electron

• positive

• neutron

• neutral

• proton

• negative

Answer explanation

The neutron is neutral, the proton is positive and the electron is negative.

An atom contains 6 protons, 5 neutrons and 6 electrons. What is the overall electric charge on the atom?

• 6–

• 1–

• 0

• 1+

• 6+

Answer explanation

Each proton has charge +1 and each electron has charge −1. The total charge on the protons is +6 and the total charge on the electrons is −6, so the overall charge is 0.