What this topic covers
Topic 5: Light and the electromagnetic spectrum has 2 subtopics:
- Light rays, lenses and electromagnetic waves
- Thermal radiation and surface effects
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GCSE Edexcel Foundation Physics · Topic 5 of 15
Topic 5: Light and the electromagnetic spectrum – GCSE Edexcel Foundation Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Light, lenses, the electromagnetic spectrum and thermal radiation. 14 lessons in 2 subtopics.
Revise Topic 5: Light and the electromagnetic spectrum for GCSE Edexcel Foundation Physics, including Light rays, lenses and electromagnetic waves.
14
Lessons
2
Subtopics
Topic 5: Light and the electromagnetic spectrum lessons by subtopic
14 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Light rays, lenses and electromagnetic waves
- Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Hazards of UV, X-rays, and Gamma Rays
- Radio Waves, Microwaves and Infrared
- Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays
- Convex and Concave Lenses
- Ray Diagrams
- Magnification
- Visible Light: Absorption, Reflection, and Transmission
- Colour Filters & Wavelengths
- Light rays, refraction, lenses and image formation
- How atoms and nuclei generate or absorb radiation
Thermal radiation and surface effects
More in this course
Go back to the full GCSE Edexcel Foundation Physics topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Topic 5: Light and the electromagnetic spectrum?
Light, lenses, the electromagnetic spectrum and thermal radiation. 14 lessons in 2 subtopics.
What is the magnification equation?
The magnification equation is magnification = image height ÷ object height. The Magnification notes cover this in full.
What is the wavelength range of visible light?
Visible light ranges from red, with a wavelength of about 700 nanometres, to violet, with a wavelength of about 400 nanometres. The The Electromagnetic Spectrum notes cover this in full.
What are the wavelengths of visible light?
Visible light has wavelengths from approximately 400nm (violet) to 700nm (red). The Colour Filters & Wavelengths notes cover this in full.
How do you calculate magnification?
To calculate magnification, divide the image height by the object height using the same units. The Magnification notes cover this in full.
How do you draw a ray diagram?
A ray diagram starts with the lens, the principal axis and the focal points drawn with a ruler; the object is added as an arrow, then special rays that follow fixed rules are drawn. The Ray Diagrams notes cover this in full.
What are the three rays used in ray diagrams?
Ray diagrams use three special rays: a ray parallel to the principal axis refracts through (or appears to come from) the principal focus, a ray through the centre of the lens goes straight on, and a ray through the principal focus emerges parallel to the axis. The Ray Diagrams notes cover this in full.
What are electromagnetic waves?
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that transfer energy without transferring matter, consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. The Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves notes cover this in full.
What is the difference between a convex and a concave lens?
A convex lens is fat in the middle and thin at the edges and brings parallel light rays together at a principal focus. The Convex and Concave Lenses notes cover this in full.