Electromagnetic

Waves
Chapter 17
Lessons 1 &
Section 2
 What are
Electromagnetic Waves?

Section 1
 Objectives
Explain how vibrating charges
produce electromagnetic waves

Describe properties of
electromagnetic waves
 Waves in Space
Analyzing the news that was
given on Solar Explossions
(october 2003) that will affect
the communitation systems; we
can see that is because of the
electromagntic waves
The electromagnetic waves are all
around us.

They enable us to see, make your

skin feel warm

You use electromagnetic waves

when you watch TV, talk on a
cordless phone, prepare popcorn in
a microwave, ...
Electromagnetic Waves:
Recall:
Waves are produce by something
that vibrates, and carry energy

Definition:
Are made by vibrating electric
charges and can travel through
space, where matter is not present
Answer the following
question:

How may you prove that

electromagnetic waves are all
around you?
 Making
Electromagnetic Waves
What produces an electromagnetic
wave?

An electric charge moving back

and forth
How do the vibrating electric
and magnetic fields around
the charge become a wave
that travels through space?
Changes in electric field, cause changes
in magnetic field

And then the changes in magnetic field,

cause changes in electric field

A vibrating electric charge creates an

electromagnetic wave that travels
outward in all directions from the charge
 Properties of
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves travel
outward from a vibrating charge
in all directions

The energy carried by an

electron magnetic wave is called
radiant energy
                                                                           
The Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Section 2
 Objectives
Compare the various types
of electromagnetic waves

Identify some useful and

some harmful properties of
electromagnetic waves
A Range of Frequencies
Electromagnitic waves can have a
wide variety of frequencies

The entire range of electro-

magnetic wave frequencies is
known as the electromagnetic
spectrum
The electromagnetic waves that
humans can detect with their
eyes, called Visible Light, are a
small portion of the entire
electromagnetic spectrum.
Electromagnetic Waves are described by
different names depending on their
frequency and wavelenght
 Activity
Wirte in your notes the waves
that composes the
electromagnetic spectrum and
their definitions and uses
Applications
Answer the following question:

What is the difference between a

microwave and a radiowave?

Microwaves are radiowaves with

wavelengths of less than a
meter