Electromagnetic waves

Michel Faraday showed that, time varying magnetic field produces time varying electric field.
James Maxwell showed that, time varying electric field produces time varying magnetic field.
This leads to the production of electromagnetic wave which travels at speed of light. Hertz
experimentally proved the existence of electromagnetic wave.

Q. What is electromagnetic wave?

A:- It is a non-mechanical wave with fluctuating electric and magnetic field which are
mutually perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Source of Electromagnetic waves

Q. How electromagnetic waves are produced?

A:- Accelerated electric charges or oscillating electric charges is the basic source of
electromagnetic wave.

Q. Who confirmed the existence of electromagnetic waves experimentally?

A:- Hertz.

Q. What is the contribution of J.C Bose to the field of electromagnetic wave?

A:- J.C Bose produced and observed electromagnetic wave of much shorter wavelength of
order 5mm to 25mm.

Q. What is the contribution of Marconi to the field of electromagnetic wave?

A:- Marconi transmitted electromagnetic waves over a distance of several kilometer which
leads to field of communication using electromagnetic waves.

Nature of electromagnetic waves

Q. Write a note on transverse nature of electromagnetic wave.

A:- Let us consider a electromagnetic wave propagating along x-axis. Let electric field Ey is
along y-axis and magnetic field Bz along z-axis. Ey and Bz are mutually perpendicular to each
other and they are in same phase.

Ey and Bz can be represented as,

( )

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 ( )

are maximum values of E and B. ω = angular frequency, k = propagation constant

Propagation constant is given by,

= wavelength
The speed o electromagnetic wave is given by,

But &
Therefore,

By solving the Maxwell’s equation it can be shown that,

By subsituting the vlues of , it is found that c = 3 × 108 ms-1 which is the speed of light.
Also E0 = cB0
Characteristic properties of electromagnetic waves

Q. Write the characteristic properties of electromagnetic waves.

1. Electromagnetic waves are produced by the accelerated electric charge.
2. Electromagnetic waves are non-mechanical waves (does not require material medium for
their propagation)
3. Electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature.
4. Electromagnetic waves travels with the speed of light.
5. Electromagnetic waves carry energy which is equally divided between electric field and
magnetic field. Average energy density of electric field is given by and
that of magnetic field is . Average total energy Uavg = UE + UB
6. Electromagnetic waves transport momentum. (p = U/c)
7. The amount of energy transmitted per unit area per unit time normally is called intensity
of electromagnetic waves. Intensity of electromagnetic is given by

8. Electromagnetic waves exert pressure on the surface on which it fall called radiation
pressure.

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 Electromagnetic spectrum

Q. Write a note on electromagnetic spectrum.

A:- An orderly arrangement of electromagnetic radiations according to their wavelength OR
frequency is called electromagnetic spectrum.
Electromagnetic spectrum is classified into different parts
1. Gamma rays ( 0.01Å – 0.1 Å)
2. X- rays (0.1 Å - 100 Å)
3. Ultra-violet rays ( 100 Å - 4000 Å)
4. Visible light ( 4000 Å - 8000 Å)
5. Infra-red rays ( 8000 Å – 4000 ×10-6 m)
6. Microwaves (4000 ×10-6 m – 0.1m )
7. Radio waves (0.1m – 104 m)

Q). Write a note on gamma rays.

A:- Gamma rays are the shortest wavelength electromagnetic radiation which is produced by
radioactive decay of nuclei.

APPLICATIONS
1. They are used in the treatment of cancer and tumor.
2. They are used in the food preservation.

Q. Write a note on X-rays.

A:- When fast moving electron is stopped suddenly by a heavy metal block, an invisible highly
penetrating radiation produced called X-ray. X-rays which lie in the region next to gamma rays
in electromagnetic spectrum.

APPLICATIONS

1. They are used to find dislocations and fractures in bones of human body.
2. They are used in study of crystals.

Q. Write a note on UV rays.

A:- UV rays are the electromagnetic radiation which lie in the region next to X-rays in
electromagnetic spectrum which is produced by the excitation of inner shell electrons in atom.

APPLICATIONS
1. They are used to sterilize air and water in hospitals.
2. They are used to find forgeries in documents.

Q. Write a note on visible light.

A:- Visible light is a electromagnetic radiation which human eye detects. Visible light is
produced by excitation of valence electrons in atom.

APPLICATIONS
1. We can see the things around us using visible light.
2. Visible light causes all optical phenomenon’s.

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Q. Write a note on IR rays.
A:- IR rays are the electromagnetic radiation which lie in the region next to visible light in
electromagnetic spectrum which is produced by the vibrations of atoms and molecules.

APPLICATIONS
1. They are used in long range photography.
2. They are used in solar cooker and solar heater.

Q. Write a note on microwaves.

A:- Microwaves are the electromagnetic radiations which lie in the region next to IR rays in
electromagnetic spectrum which is produced by the special vacuum tubes such as klystrons,
magnetron and gun diodes.

APPLICATIONS
1. Used in communication system of aircraft navigation.
2. Used in microwave ovens for cooking purpose.

Q. Write a note on radio waves.

A:- Radio waves are electromagnetic radiations whose wavelength ranges between 0.1m to 104
m which is produced by the rapid acceleration and retardation of electron in aerials.

APPLICATIONS
1. Used in radio communication system.
2. Used to obtain image of distance object such as star, galaxy etc (Radio Astronomy)