ElectroMagnetic

Waves
Jayant Nagda
Physics Educator

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B.Tech, IIT Bombay

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Waves

a pattern of disturbance which propagates and carries energy with it.

Wave on a String by moving one end of the rope up and down.

The wave produces on String needs a medium to propagate and
here medium is String itself.

This type of waves is known as Mechanical Waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

EM Waves are created as a result of variations of

electric & magnetic fields.

Electromagnetic waves don't need a medium to propagate.

EM waves are waves which can travel through

the vacuum of outer space (unlike mechanical waves).
 Electromagnetic Waves

These waves have synchronized oscillations of electric & magnetic

fields ⊥lr to each other and ⊥lr to direction of wave propagation.

Electromagnetic waves are nothing but changing magnetic and electric fields.
 Electromagnetic Waves

The theory of EM waves was mainly developed by Maxwell around 1864.

According to him, an accelerated charge sets
up a magnetic field in its neighborhood.
Electromagnetic waves are also known as
solutions of Maxwell's equations.

And Maxwell's equations are the fundamental equations of electrodynamics.

Electromagnetic Waves

Equation of light wave

E = E0 sin (ωt - kx)

E = E0 sin ω (t - x/c)

E : varying electric field at position x & time t

c : speed of light in vacuum

The electric field E is in X - Y plane,

⊥lr to direction of propagation.
Electromagnetic Waves

Sinusoidally varying magnetic field associated with

electric field ⊥lr to electric field.

B = B0 sin ω (t - x/c)

Such combination of mutually perpendicular electric &

magnetic fields in referred to as an Electromagnetic wave in
vacuum.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

An electromagnetic wave is propagating along Y-axis. Then-

A. Oscillating electric field is along X-axis and oscillating

magnetic field is along Y-axis
B. Oscillating electric field is along Z-axis and oscillating
magnetic field is along X-axis

C. Both oscillating electric and magnetic fields are along

Y-axis, but phase difference between them is 90º
D. Both oscillating electric and magnetic fields are
mutually perpendicular in arbitrary directions
Ampere’s Law Electric current produces magnetic
field and is calculated using:

Valid only when electric field at the

surface does not change with time.
Ampere’s Law
S
i

Fails on surface S

as there is no current through the surface but if we

keep a compass needle near S we get a deflection.

Ampere’s law cannot be applied here in original form because it is

valid only when electric field remains constant on surface with time.
Faraday’s Law We know that changing magnetic field
produces electric field (EMI)

changing B produces E

As the capacitor gets charged the electric field

between the plates changes and this
changing E produces B
Correction in Ampere’s Law
Q
i

for charge Q current i = (dQ/dt). We have

This is the missing term in Ampere’s circuital law.

Correction in Ampere’s Law

The relation between the changing

electric and magnetic field is given by S
i

Φε is flux of electric field through area

bounded by closed curve, along which
the circulation of is calculated.
Displacement Current

Combining Ampere’s law & this result

= μ0(i + id)

i or ic : conduction current:
current due to flow of charges
where

id : displacement current
Displacement Current
Two types of currents are possible in the region with varying electric field

1. ic : Current carried by conductor due to flow of charges.

2. id : Current produced due to changing electric field is

called displacement current.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Displacement current is same as-

A. conduction current due to flow of free electrons

B. conduction current due to flow of positive ions
C. conduction current due to flow of both positive and
negative free charge carriers
D. is not a conduction current but is caused by time
varying electric field
Example Subjective Ans type Question [ +5 , 0 ]

A PPC is being charged. Show that the

displacement current across an area in the region
between the plates and parallel to it is equal to
the conduction current in the connecting wires.

i
Continuity of Electric Current

Any loss of conduction current ic appears as

displacement current id. This can be shown as in previous
eg.
Thus, the total current (conduction + displacement) going into
the volume is equal to the total current coming out of it.

i2
i1
i1 - i2 = i d

If we consider the conduction current plus the displacement

current, the total current is still continuous.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

The charge of a parallel plate capacitor is varying as

q = q0 sin ωt. Then find the magnitude of displacement
current through the capacitor. (Plate Area = A, separation
of plates = d)
A. q0 cos(ωt) B. q0ω sin ωt

C. q0ω cos ωt D.
Maxwell’s Equations
whole subject of electricity & magnetism can be
described mathematically with the help of four equations:

1 Gauss’s law of Electrostatics 2 Gauss’s law for Magnetism

3 Faraday’s Law 4 Ampere’s Law

These equations are collectively known as Maxwell’s Equations.

Results of Maxwell’s Equations

Using Maxwell’s equation, we can prove that

an EM wave travelling along x - axis,

having electric field varying sinusoidally along y - axis

will give rise to

magnetic field varying sinusoidally along z - axis.

E = Ey = E0 sin ω(t - x/c)

B = Bz = B0 sin ω (t - x/c)
Results of Maxwell’s Equations

The electric and magnetic fields satisfy the

following wave equations, which can be
obtained from Maxwell's third and fourth equations.

∂2E μ ε ∂2E ∂2B ∂2B

= o o = μo ε o
∂x2 ∂t2 ∂x2 ∂t2

Electromagnetic waves travel through vacuum with

the speed of light c, where
Results of Maxwell’s Equations

In a material medium of permittivity ε and magnetic

permeability μ, velocity of light becomes

Thus, the velocity of light depends on electric &

magnetic properties of the medium.
Results of Maxwell’s Equations

The instantaneous magnitudes of E and B in an

electromagnetic wave are related by the expression

E
= c
B

E0 = cB0
Electromagnetic Spectrum

Classification of EM waves according to frequency or wavelength is

called Electromagnetic Spectrum.

An EM wave can have its wavelength from zero to infinity.

Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Which of the following electromagnetic waves has

minimum frequency?
A. radio wave B. ultrasonic wave
C. microwave D. gamma rays
Electromagnetic Spectrum
We are familiar with the EM waves having wavelength
30fm (‘femtometre’ ) to 30 km.

Visible light ranges from 4000 Å to 7000 Å.

Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

The most penetrating radiation out of the following is-

A. X-rays B. 𝛃-rays
C. 𝛂-rays D. 𝛄-rays
Electromagnetic Spectrum

Rays Wavelength Frequency

Gamma rays < 0.01 Å > 3 x 1020 Hz

X - rays 10 Å - 0.01 Å 3 x 1017 Hz to 3 x 1020 Hz

Ultraviolet rays 4000 Å to 10 Å 7.5 x 1014 Hz to 3 x 1017 Hz

Visible light 4000 Å to 7000 Å 4.3 x 1014 Hz to 7.5 x 1014 Hz

Infra-red rays 1 mm to 7000 Å 3 x 1011 Hz to 4.3 x 1014 Hz

Micro-waves 0.1 m to 1 mm 3 x 109 Hz to 3 x 1011 Hz

Radio waves > 0.1 m < 3 x 109 Hz

Radio Waves
Radio and microwave radiations are used in
radio and T.V. communication systems
UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiations are used in the detection of

invisible writing, forged documents, fingerprints in
forensic laboratory and to preserve the food stuffs.
Electromagnetic Spectrum

Super high frequency electromagnetic waves (3000 to 30,000

MHz) are used in Radar and Satellite communication.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Microwaves are used in RADAR because of its-

A. Small wave length B. Large wavelength

C. High speed D. Large penetration power

 Radiation Discovery Production Wavelength Frequency Uses
Range Range

γ-Rays Henry Due to 10-14 m to 3x1022 hz to 1. Gives information

Becquerel radioactive 10-10 m 3x1018 nuclear structure.
and nuclei. 2. Medical treatment
Madam etc.
Curie.

X-rays Roentgen Due to 6x10-12 m to 5x1019 hz to 1. Medical diagnosis

collisions of 10-9 m 3x1017 hz and treatment.
high energy 2. Study of crystal
electrons with structure.
heavy targets. 3. Industrial
radiography

Ultraviolet Ritter By ionised 6x10-10 m to 3x10-17 hz to 1. To detect

rays gases, sun 3.8x10-7 m 5x1019 hz adulteration, writing
lamps spark and signature.
etc. 2. Sterilization of
water due to its
destruction action on
bacteria
 Radiation Discovery Production Wavelength Frequency Uses
Range Range

Visible light Newton Outer orbit 3.8x10-7 m to 8x1014 hz to 1. To see objects

electron 7.8x10-7 m 4x1014 hz 2. To study
transition in molecular
atoms, gas structure
discharge tube,
incandescent
solids and
liquids.

Infra-red William 1.Rearrangement

Herchell of outer orbital 1. Used in
electron in industry,
atoms and medicine and
molecules astronomy.

2. Change E of molecular 7.8x10-7 m to 4x1014 hz to 2. Used for fog or

vibrational and rotational 10-3 m 3x1011 hz haze photography
energies. 3. Elucidating
3. By bodies at high molecular
temperatures. structure.
Daily Practice Problems
Example
In electromagnetic wave the phase difference between
electric and magnetic field vectors is-

A. 0 B. π/2 C. π D. π/4

Ans: A
Example

The Maxwell’s equation:

is a statement of-

A. Faraday’s law of induction

B. Modified Ampere’s law
C. Gauss’s law of electricity
D. Gauss’s law of magnetism

Ans: B
Example

Maxwell’s equation is a statement of-

A. Ampere’s Law
B. Faraday’s Law of Induction
C. Gauss’s Law of Electricity
D. Gauss’s Law of Magnetism

Ans:B
Example
The relation between electric field E and magnetic field
Induction B in an electromagnetic waves -

A. B. E = cB

C. E = B/c D. E = B/c2

Ans: B
Example
Which one statement is incorrect -

A. Speed of light in free space =

B. Speed of light in medium =

C. E0/B0 = c

D. B0/E0 = c

Ans: D
Example In a plane E.M. wave, the electric field oscillates
sinusoidally at a frequency of 2.5 × 1010 Hz and amplitude
480 V/m. The amplitude of oscillating magnetic field will
be-

A. 1.52 × 10–8 Wb/m2 B. 1.52 × 10–7 Wb/m2

C. 1.6 × 10–6 Wb/m2 D. 1.6 × 10–7 Wb/m2

Ans: C
Example
An electromagnetic wave going through vacuum is described
by E = E0 sin(kx – ωt). Which is the following is/are
independent of the wavelength ?

A. k B. k/ω C. kω D. ω

Ans: B
Example
A electromagnetic wave wave going through a medium is
given by E = E0sin (kx – wt) & B = B0sin (kx – wt) then-

A. E0k = B0ω
B. If Electric is in Z direction them magnetic field
should be in –y direction.
C. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are correct
D. Only A is correct

Ans: C
Example
The magnetic field in a plane EM wave is given by-
B = (100 µT) sin [(2 × 1015 s–1)(t – x/c)] ĵ. The equation for
electric field is-

^
A. E = 100 µN/C sin [(2×1015s–1) (t–x/c)](–k)
^
B. E = 3 × 1010 µN/C sin [(2×1015s–1) (t-x/c)](–k)
^
C. E = 3 × 1010 µN/C sin [(2 ×1015 s–1)(t–x/c)] k
^
D. E = 100 µN/C sin [(2 × 10 s )(t – x/c)] k
15 –1

Ans: B
Example

The energy density of electromagnetic wave in vacuum is

given by the relation-

A. B.

C. D.

Ans: D
Example The rate of change of voltage of a parallel plate
capacitor if the instantaneous displacement current
of 1A is established between the two plates of a 1µF
parallel plate capacitor-

A. 106 v/s B. 10 v/s

C. 108 v/s D. 10–6 v/s

Ans: A
Example
The frequencies of X-rays, 𝛄-rays and ultraviolet rays are
respectively a, b and c. Then -

A. a < b, b < c B. a > b, b > c

C. a > b, b > a D. a < b, b > c

Ans: D
Example
The T.V transmission tower in delhi has a height of 240 m.
the distance upto which the broadcast can be received.
(taking the radius of the earth to be 6.4 x 106 m)

A. 100 km B. 60 km C. 55 km D. 50 km

Ans: C
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