Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

What are Electromagnetic Waves?

Electromagnetic waves are formed when there is a continuing process of an electric field developing a magnetic field and vice versa. An electromagnetic wave has both, electric as well as magnetic components. The production of magnetism due to electric current is known as electromagnetism. The electromagnetic theory was developed by James Maxwell, whereas Heinrich Hertz demonstrated electromagnetic waves. Maxwell observed that the electrically charged particles, when in motion, created a magnetic field. This gave rise to electromagnetic waves.

The discovery of electromagnetic waves proved to be revolutionary as these waves have various uses. Long, short, FM radio waves, television and telephone signals can all be transmitted through electromagnetic waves. These waves also transmit energy in the form of X-rays, gamma rays, UV rays and infrared radiation.

Electromagnetic Wave Properties

• Light travels through space in the form of electromagnetic waves.
• The earth receives maximum amount of electromagnetic energy from the sun. This energy reaches the earth through a vacuum.
• Electromagnetic waves can travel through vacuum, i.e., they do not require a medium for transmission.
• Electromagnetic waves are two dimensional transverse waves, i.e., the transfer of energy is perpendicular to the oscillations.
• All types of electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light and at the same speed in vacuum.
• Electromagnetic waves have no mass.
• As the wavelength in the spectrum decreases, the amount of energy carried by the waves increase. This can be illustrated by the formula,
  E= hc/λ
  (where E is the energy, h is Planck's constant, c is speed of light in vacuum and λ is wavelength)
• Polarization of electromagnetic waves is possible.
• Velocity of electromagnetic wave is equal to the speed of light, which is approximately 3×10⁸ m/sec
• Properties of electromagnetic waves also include that they are neither affected by electric nor magnetic fields.
• Electromagnetic waves follow the laws of reflection as well as refraction.
• The frequency of the waves remain same when they change medium during transmission.
• There is an entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves which include waves with low as well as higher frequencies. High frequency electromagnetic waves are known as electromagnetic radiations, whereas those with low frequency are called as electromagnetic fields.
• Electromagnetic radiations act as waves as well as photons having no mass.
• Different types of electromagnetic waves that comprise of the electromagnetic spectrum are infrared waves, ultraviolet rays, visible light rays, X-rays, gamma rays, micro waves and radio waves. They just differ in wavelengths.

The principle of electromagnetism is used for making electromagnets. Electromagnets are used in various fields, including technical and medical fields. Electromagnets are also used in nearly all electrical devices, MRIs, etc. But electromagnetic waves can also cause danger and risk to human health. Electromagnetic radiations can cause cancer, skin diseases, digestive problems and many other diseases.

It is observed that electromagnetic wave properties are different and also exciting to study. While electromagnetism is considered as a boon, the adverse effects of this boon certainly cannot be ignored.