All About Electromagnetic

Radiation
By
Mr. Rosenthal
What is an electromagnetic wave?

Waves transfer energy from one place to another. Only

electromagnetic waves can transfer energy without a medium, that is,
through empty space. EM waves are transverse waves that have
electrical and magnetic properties. An electromagnetic wave consists
of changing electric and magnetic fields.
How EM waves form?
An electromagnetic wave can be created by
accelerating charges; moving charges back and
forth will produce oscillating electric and
magnetic fields, and these travel at the speed of
light.
 Where and how fast do
EM waves travel?
Mechanical waves need a medium to travel through but EM
waves do not. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a
media, air, water, solids AND through empty space.
All EM waves travel at the speed of light, 300,000,000 m/s.
What is Electromagnetic
radiation?
EM radiation is created when an atomic
particle, such as an electron, is accelerated
by an electric field, causing it to move.
The movement produces oscillating
electric and magnetic fields, which travel
at right angles to each. EM waves move at
the fastest speed possible in the universe:
186,282 miles per second (299,792,458
meters per second) in a vacuum, also
known as the speed of light. The waves
have certain characteristics, given as
frequency, wavelength or energy.
 What is the Electromagnetic
Spectrum?

The EM Spectrum is the entire range of wavelengths or

frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from
gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including
visible light.
 Radio Waves
Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in
the electromagnetic spectrum.
Radio waves have frequencies from 300 GHz to
as low as 3 kHz, and wavelengths from 1
millimeter to 100 kilometers.
Naturally occurring radio waves are emitted by
lightning and astronomical objects.

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Man-made radio waves are radiated by electric
charges when they are accelerated. They
are produced artificially by time-varying
electric currents, consisting of electrons flowing
back and forth in a specially-shaped metal
conductor called an antenna. They are received
by another antenna attached to a radio receiver.
They are used in standard broadcast radio and
television, shortwave radio, navigation and air-
traffic control, cellular telephony, and even
remote-controlled toys.