Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Waves: Definition, Sources & Properties

The electromagnetic spectrum describes a wide range of different electromagnetic waves. Also called EM waves, these are a special type of wave that can travel without a medium. Unlike sound waves and water waves, electromagnetic waves don't need a fluid, or a solid, or even air to help them travel from one place to another. EM waves can travel across the great vacuum of space, which is why we see light from distant stars and planets.

Electromagnetic waves are named for the fact that they have both an electric and a magnetic component. They begin when charged particles, like electrons, vibrate due to the various forces acting on them. The vibration of charged particles results in an emission of energy known as electromagnetic radiation. EM waves propagate outward from the source. Just like regular transverse waves, the oscillations of EM waves are perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel. But EM waves are more complicated; the electric component oscillates in one plane, while the magnetic component oscillates in a different plane. In a vacuum, EM waves always travel at the same speed - the speed of light, which is roughly 300 million meters per second. We call this value the speed of light, but really, it counts as the normal speed for all of the EM waves.

So, what are the other EM waves besides light? Electromagnetic waves include infrared, ultraviolet, radio waves, and microwaves. They also include X-rays and gamma rays. You've probably heard of all these waves before, but you may not have seen how they relate to visible light. Let's take a look at how these seven groups of waves fit together on the electromagnetic spectrum.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The EM spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic waves. At one end of the spectrum are the waves with the lowest frequencies. At the other end are the highest frequency waves. The spectrum is broken up into regions that define each of the different wave types. At the lowest frequencies we have radio waves. Then, as we increase frequency, we encounter the microwaves, infrared radiation, and visible light waves. Moving further up the spectrum, we have ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Gamma rays have the highest frequencies of all the EM waves.

Electromagnetic waves can also be distinguished by their wavelength. Wavelengths for EM waves can be found by dividing the speed of light by the wave's frequency; this is a modification of the wave equation. Since all EM waves travel at the speed of light, then the spectrum of wavelengths is exactly opposite the spectrum of frequencies. In other words, wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional to each other. We can view our electromagnetic spectrum not only in terms of increasing frequencies but also in terms of decreasing wavelengths. As frequencies increase on the EM spectrum, wavelengths decrease. So that means radio waves have the largest wavelengths and gamma rays have the smallest.

To help you associate these relationships across the spectrum, try to imagine a continuous wave with gradual changes throughout. The wave begins with very wide arcs, indicating the large wavelengths and low frequencies of radio waves. As the wave moves along the spectrum, the crests and troughs get closer together.

Properties of Electromagnetic Radiations

This theory was put forward by Maxwell in 1864. The main postulates of this theory are as follows:

• The energy is emitted by the source continuously in the form of radiations known as Radiant Energy.
• The radiations consist of electric and magnetic fields vibrating perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to the direction in which wave propagates.
• The radiations possess wave character and travel with the velocity of light.
• These radiations don’t require any material medium for propagation.

Due to these characteristics, the radiations are also called as Electromagnetic Radiations.