| Date | May 2012 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 12M.1.SL.TZ1.14 |
| Level | Standard level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 1 |
| Command term | Question number | 14 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
What region of the electromagnetic spectrum includes waves of wavelength 5 ×10–8 m?
A. X-ray
B. Ultraviolet
C. Infrared
D. Microwave
Markscheme
B
Examiners report
The majority of candidates answered this question correctly. Candidates are expected to
recall the orders of magnitude of the wavelengths of the principal radiations in the
electromagnetic spectrum, as stipulated by the Guide. It can be argued that a more distinct
wavelength could have been chosen so as to avoid possible confusion with the area between
“soft” X-rays and UV but the statistics of the question do not indicate that candidates were
upset by this choice.
