Grade 10 Physical Sciences · Waves, Sound and Light · Paper 1 (Physics)

Electromagnetic Radiation Grade 10

Real Electromagnetic Radiation past paper questions and answers from 2017 to 2026, with each memo split into the ticks examiners give. Try one, mark yourself, and see exactly which skill cost you marks.

past paper questions: 96 past paper questions
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Question 9.4 · November 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

The graph below shows how the induced current in a generator varies with time. Diagram for this question

9.4 Calculate the frequency at which the coil rotates in the generator.(2)

Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.

Electromagnetic Radiation skills

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More Electromagnetic Radiation Grade 10 questions and answers

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4. Question 6.3.1 · November 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
A stationary listener, standing on the roadside, records the wavelength of the sound emitted by the siren of a police car travelling at a constant velocity.

In the wavelength-time graph below, NOT drawn to scale, $λ_{L}$ is the wavelength of the sound recorded by the listener and $λ_{S}$ is the wavelength of the sound emitted by the siren.

Take the speed of sound in air to be $343$ m·s $^{- 1}$ .
6.3 Calculate the:
6.3.1 Frequency of the sound emitted by the siren(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula $v = f λ$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
2. ✓
  Substitution $343 = f (0, 38)$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
3. ✓
  Answer $f = 902, 63$ Hz
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
5. Question 6.4.1 · November 2019 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 5 marks
The diagram below represents a transverse wave produced by source A.
6.4 Calculate the:
6.4.1 Speed of the wave if the wavelength is $0, 8$ m(5)
Show the memo (5 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula for frequency $f = \frac{1}{T}$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
2. ✓
  Substitute the period $f = \frac{1}{8} = 0, 125$ Hz
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
3. ✓
  Wave equation $v = f λ$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
4. ✓
  Substitute $f$ and $λ$ $v = (0, 125) (0, 8)$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
5. ✓
  Answer with unit $v = 0, 1$ m·s $^{- 1}$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
6. Question 1.9 · November 2018 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
1.9 Red light of frequency $f$ and wavelength $λ$ shines on an object. The red light is then replaced by light of a higher energy. How do the frequency and the wavelength of light shining on the object now compare with that of red light?(2)
1. A Frequency: greater than $f$ ; wavelength: remains the same ( $λ$ )
2. B Frequency: less than $f$ ; wavelength: greater than $λ$
3. C Frequency: greater than $f$ ; wavelength: less than $λ$
4. D Frequency: remains the same ( $f$ ); wavelength: less than $λ$
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct option $E = h f$ , so higher energy means a higher frequency. All light travels at the same speed $c = f λ$ , so if $f$ increases, $λ$ must decrease.
  
  Answer: C
  2 marks · Use the wave equation
7. Question 6.4.1 · November 2018 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
Study the two transverse waves, P and Q, as shown below.
6.4 For wave pattern Q, calculate the:
6.4.1 Frequency of the wave(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula $f = \frac{1}{T}$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
2. ✓
  Substitution $= \frac{1}{1 , 5}$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
3. ✓
  Answer with unit $= 0, 67$ Hz
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
8. Question 1.7 · November 2017 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number.
1.7 Which ONE of the combinations below is the CORRECT order of electromagnetic waves in INCREASING WAVELENGTHS?(2)
1. A Gamma ray → X-ray → ultraviolet → visible light → infrared → microwave
2. B Radio wave → microwave → infrared → visible light → ultraviolet → X-ray
3. C X-ray → ultraviolet → infrared → visible light → radio wave → microwave
4. D Gamma ray → X-ray → visible light → ultraviolet → infrared → microwave
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct optionFrom shortest to longest wavelength: gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, radio waves. Only A follows this order. B is in DECREASING wavelength, and D swaps visible light and ultraviolet.
  
  Answer: A
  2 marks · Describe the electromagnetic spectrum
9. Question 7.2 · November 2017 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 4 marks
Dolphins communicate through the emission and reception of sounds. A young dolphin was separated from its mother and started whistling at a frequency of $130$ kHz to call her. The speed of sound in seawater is $1480$ m·s $^{- 1}$ .
7.2 Calculate the wavelength of the young dolphin's whistle.(4)
Show the memo (4 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula $v = f λ$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
2. ✓
  Substitution of speed $1480 =$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
3. ✓
  Substitution of frequency $130000 λ$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
4. ✓
  Answer with unit $∴ λ = 0, 011$ m
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
10. Question 9.3.4 · September 2026 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 3 marks
Examine the diagram of an electrical device that follows.
9.3 The following graph shows information regarding a generator that is providing power to a $4, 5 Ω$ resistor.

Answer the questions that follow.
9.3.4 Calculate the: Frequency of the generator(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula $f = \frac{1}{T}$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
2. ✓
  Substitution $= \frac{1}{0 , 1}$
  1 mark · Use the wave equation
3. ✓
  Answer $= 10$ Hz
  1 mark · Use the wave equation

Electromagnetic Radiation Grade 10 videos

Short lessons from South African teachers first. Videos load only when you tap play, to save your data.

Grade 10 Physics Wave SpeedMiss Martins Maths and Science

Grade 10 Electromagnetic Radiation Physics: IntroductionMiss Martins Maths and Science

Electromagnetic radiation calculations Grade 10 PhysicsMiss Martins Maths and Science

Threshold Frequency and Work Function Grade 12 Photoelectric EffectMiss Martins Maths and Science

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