6.

7 ANALYSING ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

Electromagnetic Wave

It is produced when electric field and magnetic field vibrate at right angle to each other. The direction of
propagation is perpendicular to both fields.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

It consists of a group of waves with similar natures.

The members of the electromagnetic spectrum arranged in increasing frequencies and decreasing
wavelengths are radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays,X-rays and
Gamma rays.
Radio waves have the longest wavelength but are of low frequency waves. They carry very little energy.
Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength but are of high frequency waves. They carry very high
energy.

lower Frequency (Hz)

longer Wavelength (m)

 Note on visible light
Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. Light can be
seen as the colours of rainbow.
Each colour has a different wavelength.
Red has the longest wavelength and violet the shortest.
When all the waves are seen together, they make white light.
When white light shines through a prism, the white light is broken apart into the
seven colours of the visible light spectrum.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
That is why Young’s double slit experiment will have different result when different
colour of light is used.
E.g: In a Young’s double slit experiment using red light, the interference pattern
produced on a screen is as shown in Diagram

A.

When red light is replaced by blue light, which

B. of the fringes pattern is formed on
the screen?

Transverse wave
Energy is transferred Equation :
by the wave c=f

Show characteristic of The magnetic and

polarization electric field oscillates at
Properties of right angle to each other
electromagnetic waves

The waves are Do not require medium

electrically neutral to propagate. Can travel
in vacuum.

Undergo same
phenomena as light: In a vacuum, the waves
Reflection, refraction, travel at speed of light ;
diffraction and c = 3 x 108 ms-1
interference
EMG wave Sources Applications Detrimental Effect / Danger
Radio waves Electrons For broadcasting and wireless Potential risk to health, causing
oscillating communication migraine or headache
in aerials UHF (ultra high frequency) radio
Radio/ waves – television and hand
television phones
transmitter VHF (very high frequency) radio
wave – local radio FM and
wireless communication used by
the police
Microwaves Radar Communication system with Internal heating of body tissues
transmitter satellites when they enter our body.
Microwaves Used in radar system cataracts
oven Cooking
Transmission of Cellular service
Traffic speed camera
GPS
Infrared Hot objects A sensation of warmth is felt Over heat
radiation such as when IR falls on the skin. Skin burns
flames, the Thermal imaging and
human physiotherapy
body, the Infrared binoculars for night
sun time vision. IR radiation emitted
by a living thing can be detected.
Remote control for TV / VCR
Burglar Alarm system
Data transmission (Optical fibre)
Auto-focusing (camera)
Visible light Flames, Visual communication Skin cancer
lamps, Photography Damage to retina
the sun Photosynthesis
Ultraviolet The sun, Cause sunburn Skin cancer
rays mercury Stimulates the formation of Sunburn
vapour vitamin D (assimilate calcium Blindness
lamp. and prevent rickets)
Detect fake notes
Fluorescent lamp
Sterilization of surgical tools and
plant seedlings.
X- rays x-ray tube Medicine Cell damage
o X-ray photograph of the Cancer
internal organs of the body Pregnant mothers who are
o Cancer treatment exposed to X-rays and radiations
Engineering – to detect cracks in too frequently may cause
metal abnormalities in new born babies.
Checking of luggage at airports
Gamma Rays Radioactive Engineering – to detect leakages Cell damage
substances in underground pipes DNA Mutation (Incredible
Medicine – cancer treatment HULK?)
Food sterilisation cancer
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