Chapter 19 Electromagnetic Waves

1 ElectromagnetiC Waves
Chapter
9
Whenever there is a live telecast of an event happening on the other side of the
world, one will witness the extensive use of electromagnetic waves in
communication.
Radio waves and microwaves are used for communication between organisers,
reporters and even the coaches. Satellite technology uses microwaves to
transfer live data from one country to another.
While communication is one form of application of electromagnetic waves, the

different characteristics of the various types of electromagnetic waves offer a
wide range of applications.
Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic Waves
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves:

1. They are transverse waves.
2. They can travel through vacuum at the
speed of 3 x 108 ms-1.
3. They transfer energy from point to
point.
4. They obey the wave equation v = fλ
5. They exhibit wave properties.

(metres)
Radio waves have the longest wavelength while gamma rays have
the shortest wavelength.
Radio waves have the lowest frequency while gamma rays have the
highest frequency.

Radio waves have the longest wavelengths of the
spectrum (10-1 – 105) m .
Source : Radio transmitters and stars
Detector : Radio antennas and radio telescopes
Use : Broadcast, telecommunications, radar

Microwaves have wavelengths between (10-3 - 10-1)m.
Source : Microwave transmitters, stars, magnetron

Detector : Microwave receivers
Uses : Microwave cooking, satellite telecommunications, radar
Microwaves are absorbed by the

water molecules. The energy
carried by the absorbed
microwaves then heats up the food

Radio waves and microwaves are used in telecommunications

Infrared has wavelengths between (10-6 – 10-3) m
Source : All objects emit IR
Detector : Thermocouple
Uses : TV remote control, thermal scanners
Visible light has wavelengths between (10-7 -10-6) m
Source : The sun

Detector : Eyes
Uses : Photosynthesis

Ultraviolet radiation has wavelengths between (10-8 – 10-7) m.
Source : Mercury vapour lamps

Detector : Fluorescent screens dyes
Uses : Forgery detection, sun lamps
X–rays have wavelength between (10-11 – 10-8) m
Source : X-ray tubes

Detector : Photographic film
Uses: Medical inspection, checking welds

Gamma rays have wavelengths between (10-13 – 10-8) m
Source : Radioactive substances

Detector : Geiger-Müller counter
Uses : Cancer treatment, checking welds

Light as a Wave
As mentioned in the previous chapter, the visible spectrum is

only a small component of a large family of waves called the
electromagnetic (EM) spectrum.
Like all EM radiation, visible light exhibits wave characteristics.

Light can be reflected, refracted and diffracted. In a double slit
experiment, light can produce an interference pattern.
However, in 1675, Newton suggested that light was made

up of tiny particles called corpuscles. This is known as the
‘Corpuscular Theory of Light’.
This particulate nature of light contradicts Huygens’

wave theory of light in 1678.

Light as Waves
Huygens’ Construction
According to Huygens’ theory, all points on a wave front act as
secondary point sources.
Basically, if each point of acts as a secondary point source, waves
will arrive from neighbouring points to superimpose constructively to
form the next wave front.
Using Huygens’ wave

construction to show
how plane waves are
formed

Light as Waves
Thomas Young’s Double Slit Experiment

Huygens’ wave theory of light was supported by Thomas Young’s
double slit experiment.
Slits S2 and S3 simulate

the two coherent
sources needed for
interference to happen.
An interference pattern
consists of bands of
bright and dark fringes.
These fringes result
from the superposition.
Superposition is a wave
phenomenon.

Light as Particles
Einstein’s Photoelectric Effect
In 1921, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for his
photoelectric effect experiment.
The results of his experiment could not be explained using the classical
wave theory of light.
Einstein proposed that light existed as packets of light energy (called

photons) which had particulate nature.
His findings led to the acceptance of the dual nature of light, that is, light
exists as waves as well as particles.
Einstein’s photoelectric effect shows that when a metal

surface is illuminated with light of a suitable wavelength,
electrons on the surface of the metal will absorb the
‘packets of energy’ to escape the surface.

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1 ElectromagnetiC Waves

While communication is one form of application of electromagnetic waves, the

Properties of Electromagnetic Waves:

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Source : Microwave transmitters, stars, magnetron

Microwaves are absorbed by the

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Visible light has wavelengths between (10-7 -10-6) m

Source : The sun

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Source : Mercury vapour lamps

X–rays have wavelength between (10-11 – 10-8) m

Source : X-ray tubes

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Source : Radioactive substances

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

As mentioned in the previous chapter, the visible spectrum is

Like all EM radiation, visible light exhibits wave characteristics.

However, in 1675, Newton suggested that light was made

This particulate nature of light contradicts Huygens’

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Using Huygens’ wave

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Thomas Young’s Double Slit Experiment

Slits S2 and S3 simulate

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

Einstein’s Photoelectric Effect

Einstein proposed that light existed as packets of light energy (called

Einstein’s photoelectric effect shows that when a metal

Chapter 19: Electromagnetic Waves

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