ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES!
Introduction:
Hey
everyone! How are you? Okay so this is a really short topic which we are going
to study today: Electromagnetic waves. Its more of having it on fingertips than
grabbing the concept. Let’s get started!
Definition:
Electromagnetic
waves belong to the electromagnetic spectrum. Light is a part of this spectrum.
And the only part of spectrum that we are able to see is light. The rest of it,
like radio rays, are not visible to us.
Here’s
the electromagnetic spectrum:
Gamma
rays have the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency while radio waves
have the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency.
Properties of electromagnetic waves:
●
Electromagnetic
waves are transverse waves. They are electric and magnetic fields that
oscillate at 90° to each other.
●
They
transfer energy from one place to another.
●
They
can travel through vacuum (do not require any medium to travel)
●
They
travel at 3.0 x 108
metres per second in vacuum. They will slow down when travelling through
water or glass.
●
The
wave equation is applicable here too.
●
They
obey the laws of reflection and refraction.
●
They
carry no electric charge (they are neither positively or negatively charged)
●
Their
frequencies do not change when travelling from one medium to another. Only
their speeds and wavelength will change.
Just
memorise these properties and you’re done!
The
only left for you to do is google the uses of these waves and memorise them.
You should know at least two uses of each wave. Like ultraviolet waves are used
in sunbeds and in sterilization of medical equipment.
