Lesson 4.6.3.1

4.6.3.1 Emission and absorption of infrared radiation Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.6.3.1, Emission and absorption of infrared radiation: 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. (Physics only) Which radiation do all bodies emit and absorb, whatever their temperature?

    • Visible light only
    • Gamma rays
    • Infrared radiation
    • Radio waves only

  2. (Physics only) Compared with a cooler body of the same size, a hotter body radiates what in a given time?

    • Only visible light
    • The same amount
    • Less infrared radiation
    • More infrared radiation

  3. What does a perfect black body do to incident radiation?

    • Absorbs all of it
    • Transmits all of it
    • Scatters half of it
    • Reflects all of it

  4. (Physics only) A good absorber of radiation is also a good what?

    • Insulator
    • Reflector
    • Transmitter
    • Emitter

  5. (Physics only) Which object would be the best possible emitter of radiation?

    • A white reflective surface
    • A perfect black body
    • A shiny silver sphere
    • A transparent glass block

  6. Which surface emits the most infrared radiation at a given temperature?

    • Clear glass
    • Dull black
    • Polished white
    • Shiny silver

  7. (Physics only) A body at room temperature emits infrared. Compared with a hotter body of the same type, in a given time it emits what?

    • More infrared
    • Exactly as much
    • Less infrared
    • None at all

  8. (Physics only) A perfect black body is also described as what?

    • A perfect absorber
    • A perfect transmitter
    • A perfect reflector
    • A perfect insulator

  9. (Physics only) Which object is closest to a perfect black body?

    • A clear glass window
    • A white painted wall
    • A matt black surface
    • A polished silver surface

  10. Which process causes a hot object to cool down by giving off infrared?

    • Conduction
    • Reflection
    • Absorption
    • Emission

  11. What does it mean for a body to emit radiation?

    • Reflecting radiation
    • Giving out radiation
    • Absorbing radiation
    • Transmitting radiation

  12. What happens to the temperature of a dark surface when it absorbs infrared?

    • Fluctuates
    • Stays constant
    • Increases
    • Decreases

  13. (Physics only) Which surface absorbs infrared most strongly?

    • A polished white surface
    • A clear glass surface
    • A shiny metal surface
    • A matt black surface

  14. What produces infrared emission from a body at a microscopic level?

    • Chemical bonding
    • Gravitational pull
    • Thermal particle motion
    • Magnetic fields

  15. Between a hot kettle and a cold kettle, which radiates more infrared?

    • Both equal
    • Hot kettle
    • Cold kettle
    • Neither

  16. What is a key feature of a perfect black body regarding radiation?

    • Absorbs none
    • Transmits all radiation
    • Reflects all radiation
    • Absorbs all radiation

  17. (Physics only) Which surface type is the poorest emitter of infrared at a given temperature?

    • A shiny, polished surface
    • A dark grey surface
    • A rough black surface
    • A matt black surface

  18. If a surface is a very good absorber of infrared, what else is it?

    • Poor emitter
    • Good reflector
    • Good emitter
    • Good transmitter

  19. Which surface property determines both infrared absorption and emission?

    • Electrical resistance
    • Magnetic strength
    • Texture and colour
    • Density

  20. (Physics only) A hot object emits infrared and also what, given enough heat?

    • Visible light
    • Gamma rays
    • Sound waves
    • Radio waves only

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