Lesson 4.6.2.2

4.6.2.2 Properties of electromagnetic waves 1 Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.6.2.2, Properties of electromagnetic waves 1: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Unit 6: Waves, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What causes the refraction of a wave at a boundary?

    • A wave speed difference
    • A wavelength increase
    • An amplitude shift
    • A frequency change

  2. How does a wave bend when it slows down in a denser medium?

    • Backwards into source
    • Towards the normal
    • Away from the normal
    • Straight along boundary

  3. What property determines how a substance interacts with electromagnetic radiation?

    • Wavelength
    • Amplitude
    • Wave mass
    • Source voltage

  4. What change explains refraction on a wavefront diagram?

    • A change in mass
    • A change in amplitude
    • A change in speed
    • A change in voltage

  5. How do wavefronts change when a plane wave slows down at a boundary?

    • Closer together
    • Further apart
    • Higher amplitude
    • Shorter period

  6. Required practical 10 investigates infrared absorption depending on what factor?

    • Surface nature
    • Water depth
    • Source voltage
    • Air pressure

  7. Which device is used to measure infrared radiation emitted from a surface?

    • Voltmeter
    • Barometer
    • Thermometer
    • Ammeter

  8. Why does a matt black surface radiate more infrared than a shiny one?

    • It conducts electricity
    • It has lower density
    • It reflects more light
    • It is a better absorber

  9. What happens to wavelength if wave speed decreases at constant frequency?

    • It becomes zero
    • It decreases
    • It increases
    • It stays constant

  10. What does a surface that reflects infrared strongly suggest about its absorption?

    • Poor absorber
    • Complete absorber
    • Good absorber
    • Strong absorber

  11. What causes the refraction of a wave at a boundary between two different media?

    • Change in speed
    • Change in amplitude
    • Change in wavelength only
    • Change in frequency

  12. (Higher tier) Which quantity stays constant during refraction at a boundary?

    • Wavelength
    • Frequency
    • Wave speed
    • Direction

  13. A wave's speed halves at constant frequency. What happens to its wavelength?

    • It halves
    • It doubles
    • It quadruples
    • It stays same

  14. What is the dependent variable in the Leslie cube infrared practical?

    • Distance of detector
    • Infrared detected
    • Surface colour
    • Water temperature

  15. A shiny surface emits less infrared at the same temperature. What does this show?

    • Good infrared emitters
    • High temperature emitters
    • Strong infrared absorbers
    • Poor infrared emitters

  16. A wave bends towards the normal. What type of second medium is this?

    • Zero wave speed
    • Faster wave speed
    • Equal wave speed
    • Slower wave speed

  17. When does wave speed change during refraction?

    • Altering wavelength
    • Changing amplitude
    • Crossing a boundary
    • Varying frequency

  18. A material transmits infrared but absorbs ultraviolet. What does this demonstrate?

    • Constant absorption
    • Wavelength dependence
    • Amplitude dependence
    • Frequency equality

  19. Why is surface temperature kept constant in the Leslie cube practical?

    • To change the density
    • For a fair test
    • To speed up cooling
    • To increase frequency

  20. A ray bends towards the normal on entering glass. What happens to its speed?

    • It drops to zero
    • It slows down
    • It remains constant
    • It speeds up

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