SARASWATI VIDYA NIKETAN

FORM 4

PHYSICS

DATE: 02-06-2020

Electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves are that type of wave motion among which occurs the particular type which enables us
to see. They also are the type that brings radio and television programmes to our homes, and make plants grow.

We also use them to examine tissues in the human body and the range of applications to which they have been
put is steadily getting wider. That this is so is probably due to the fact that the range of electromagnetic
wavelengths is enormous: the wavelengths of radio and television waves are very large (they can be hundreds of
metres), whereas those that are used to examine tissue are extremely short, being millionths of a micron.

How are Electromagnetic waves produced?

Electromagnetic waves or EM waves are waves that are created as a result of vibrations between an electric
field and a magnetic field. In other words, EM waves are composed of oscillating magnetic and electric fields.

Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field comes in contact with a magnetic field. They are
hence known as ‘electromagnetic’ waves. The electric field and magnetic field of an electromagnetic wave are
perpendicular (at right angles) to each other. They are also perpendicular to the direction of the EM wave.

When Electric charges exert forces on each other, an electric field is formed around each electric charge. An
electric field is the region in which an electric force acts. A magnetic field is a region in which a magnetic force
acts

An electromagnetic wave has an electrical component and a

magnetic component travelling together along the same path,
but not in the same direction. Both components are
transverse, and the directions in which they vibrate are
perpendicular to each other. The two vibrations take place in
phase and the direction of travel of the wave is at right angles
to the plane containing these two directions.
EM waves travel with a constant velocity of 3.00 x 108 ms-1 in vacuum. They are deflected neither by the electric
field, nor by the magnetic field. An electromagnetic wave can travel through anything - be it air, a solid
material or vacuum. It does not need a medium to propagate or to travel from one place to another (Non-
mechanical wave). Mechanical waves (like sound waves or water waves), on the other hand, need a medium to
travel. EM waves are 'transverse' waves. This means that they are measured by their amplitude (height) and
wavelength (distance between the highest/lowest points of two consecutive waves).

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE EM SPECTRUM

TABLE SHOWING THE

FREQUENCY AND

WAVELENGTH OF THE

VARIOUS WAVES IN THE EM

SPECTRUM.
 Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses / Applications

 Gamma rays are used for killing the bacteria in marshmallows &to sanitize medical
equipment
 X-rays are used for scanning the structures of image bone
 Ultraviolet light can observe bees because flowers can stand-out visibly at this frequency
 Visible light is used to view the world by humans
 Infrared is used in laser metal cutting, night vision, and heat sensors,
 Microwave is used in radar, and microwave ovens
 Radio waves are used in radio, TV broadcasts