User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2015 Marks available 1 Reference code 15N.1.SL.TZ0.16
Level Standard level Paper Paper 1 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Question number 16 Adapted from N/A

Question

Electromagnetic waves

A.     always obey an inverse square law.

B.     are made up of electric and magnetic fields of constant amplitude.

C.     always travel at the same speed in a vacuum.

D.     are always polarized.

Markscheme

C

Examiners report

Anything that radiates outwards from a point source will obey the inverse square law, whether it be gravity, magnetism from a monopole, warmth or light. But there are situations when an electromagnetic wave does not radiate equally in all directions – as, for example, with a laser. So C is the correct response.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 4: Waves » 4.3 – Wave characteristics
Show 67 related questions

View options