Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are formed when there is a continuing process of an electric field developing a magnetic field and vice versa. It 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 these waves proved to be revolutionary due to its various benefits. Long, short, FM radio waves, television and telephone signals can all be transmitted through these waves. The 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 the maximum amount of electromagnetic energy from the sun. This energy reaches the earth through a vacuum.
• These waves can travel through vacuum, i.e., they do not require a medium for transmission.
• They 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.
• They 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 these 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.
• These 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 waves are known as electromagnetic radiations, whereas those with low frequency are called electromagnetic fields.
• Electromagnetic radiations act as waves as well as photons having no mass.
• Different types of waves that comprise 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, MRI, 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 attributes and 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.