Electromagnetic Waves

by Ron Kurtus (revised 15 January 2010)

Electromagnetic waves consist of a combination of oscillating electrical and magnetic fields,

perpendicular to each other. This is difficult to visualize, however the waveform has similar
characteristics of other types of waves.

Although they seem different, radio waves, microwaves, x-rays, and even visible light are
all electromagnetic waves. They are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and each has a
different range of wavelengths, which cause they waves to affect matter differently.

The creation and detection of the wave depend much on the range of wavelengths.

Questions you may have include:

• What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

• What are the characteristics of electromagnetic waves?
• How are these waves created and detected?

Electromagnetic spectrum
The range of wavelengths for electromagnetic waves--from the very long to the very short--
is called the Electromagnetic Spectrum:

• Radio and TV waves are the longest usable waves,

having a wavelength of 1 mile (1.5 kilometer) or more.
• Microwaves are used in telecommunication as well as
for cooking food.
• Infrared waves are barely visible. They are the deep
red rays you get from a heat lamp.
• Visible light waves are the radiation you can see with
your eyes. Their wavelengths are in the range of 1/1000
centimeter.
• Ultraviolet rays are what give you sunburn and are
used in "black lights" that make object glow.
• X-rays go through the body and are used for medical
purposes.
• Gamma rays are dangerous rays coming from nuclear
reactors and atomic bombs. They have the shortest
wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum of about
1/10,000,000 centimeter.

Characteristics of electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves, similar to water waves in the ocean or the
waves seen on a guitar string. This is as opposed to the compression waves of sound. As
you learned in Wave Motion, all waves have amplitude, wavelength, velocity and frequency.
Amplitude

The amplitude of electromagnetic waves relates to its intensity or brightness (as in the case
of visible light).

With visible light, the brightness is usually measured in lumens. With other wavelengths the
intensity of the radiation, which is power per unit area or watts per square meter is used.
The square of the amplitude of a wave is the intensity.

Wavelength

The wavelengths of electromagnetic waves go from extremely long to extremely short and
everything in between. The wavelengths determine how matter responds to the
electromagnetic wave, and those characteristics determine the name we give that particular
group of wavelengths.

Velocity

The velocity of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is approximately 186,000 miles per

second or 300,000 kilometers per second, the same as the speed of light. When these
waves pass through matter, they slow down slightly, according to their wavelength.

Frequency

The frequency of any waveform equals the velocity divided by the wavelength. The units of
measurement are in cycles per second or Hertz.

Creation and detection

When electrons move, they create a magnetic field. When electrons move back and forth or
oscillate, their electric and magnetic fields change together, forming an electromagnetic
wave. This oscillation can come from atoms being heated and thus moving about rapidly or
from alternating current (AC) electricity.

The opposite effect occurs when an electromagnetic wave hits matter. In such a case, it
could cause atoms to vibrate, creating heat, or it can cause electrons to oscillate, depending
on the wavelength of the radiation.

Sources of electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from all matter with a temperature above absolute
zero. Temperature is the measure of the average energy of vibrating atoms and that
vibration causes them to give off electromagnetic radiation. As the temperature increases,
more radiation and shorter wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are emitted.

Sources of long wavelengths

Microwaves, radio, and television waves are emitted from electronic devices. Sparks and
alternating current cause vibrations at the appropriate frequencies.
Sources of visible light

Visible light is emitted from matter hotter than about 700 degrees Celsius. This matter is
said to be incandescent. The sun, a fire, and the ordinary light bulb are incandescent
sources of light.

As the element in an electric stove gets warms, it gives off infrared radiation, and then
when it gets hotter than 700 degrees, it starts to glow. Visible light is being emitted from
the hot element.

Sources of short wavelengths

By smashing high-energy electrons into other particles, such as atoms in a metal, X-rays
are created.

Gamma rays are emitted from nuclear reactions, atomic bombs, and explosions on the Sun
and other stars.

Detectors of electromagnetic radiation

There are a number of different types of detectors of electromagnetic radiation. We know

the common ones for detecting visible light: the eye, camera film, and the detectors on
some calculators. Your skin can also detect both visible light and infrared heat rays.

Electronic devices are necessary to detect most of the longer waves, such as radio waves.
Special film can detect shorter wavelengths such as X-rays

Summary
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel at the speed of light. The spectrum
of their wavelengths results in waves that are used in many of our useful devices. The
waves are formed by heat, electronics, and nuclear forces.

_________________________

Computer Networks: The Physical Layer

2.3 Wireless Transmission

• Highlights
• Terms
• Formulae
Highlights
• 2.3.1 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• 2.3.2 Radio Transmission
• 2.3.3 Microwave Transmission
• 2.3.4 Infrared and Millimeter Waves
• 2.3.5 Lightwave Transmission

2.3.1 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Wireless transmission can provide special services and conveniences to people,
such as connection to the Internet or other networks without connecting to a wire
directly. It can also facilitate the creation of networks in special situations, such as
terrain that is unfriendly to ground cables. Wireless communication began, in fact,
in the Hawaiian Islands precisely to solve the problem of terrain separated by large
stretched of ocean.

Political organizations determine which sections of the spectrum of light are allotted to which
wireless transmission purposes. Because the existing organizations are not always in agreement
with current practice or with each other, some products manufactured for one country may not
work in another.

2.3.2 Radio Transmission

Radio waves are easy to generate and are omnidirectional, but have low
transmission rates. Also, depending on their frequency, radio waves either cannot
travel very far, or are absorbed by the earth. In some cases, though, High
Frequency (HF) waves are reflected back to earth by the Ionosphere (a layer of the
atmosphere).

2.3.3 Microwave Transmission

Microwave transmission is popular for its ability to travel in straight lines. A source
can be directly focused on its destination without interfering with neighboring
transmissions. Because they travel in straight lines, though, the curvature of the
earth can interfere with the microwave transmitters; the solution to this is the
addition of repeaters inbetween the source and destination to redirect the data
path. Microwaves are used for long distance communication (Microwave
Communications, Inc.=MCI), cellular phones, garage door openers, and much more.

2.3.4 Infrared and Millimeter Waves

Infrared light is used for close-range communication, such as remote controls,
because it does not pass through objects well. This is also a plus because infrared
communications in one room do not interfere with the infrared communications in
another room. Infrared communication is more secure than other options, such as
radio, but it cannot be used outside due to interference by the Sun.

2.3.5 Lightwave Transmission

Lasers can be used for wireless communication. It is a relatively low cost way to
connect two buildings' LANs, but it has drawbacks. The laser is difficult to target on
the destination's receiver because the beam is so small. Laser light also diffuses
easily in poor atmospheric conditions, such as rain, fog, or intense heat.

Laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere. They work similarly to
fiber optic links, except the beam is transmitted through free space. While the transmitter and receiver
must require line-of-sight conditions, they have the benefit of eliminating the need for broadcast rights and
buried cables. Laser communications systems can be easily deployed since they are inexpensive, small,
low power and do not require any radio interference studies. The carrier used for the transmission signal
is typically generated by a laser diode. Two parallel beams are needed, one for transmission and one for
reception. Due to budget restrictions, the system implemented in this project is only one way.

Laser communications have been a hot topic lately, as solutions for how to satisfy ever increasing
bandwidth needs are in high demand. Some have suggested that bandwidth could be distributed in
neighborhoods by putting laser communication systems on top of homes and pointing them towards a
common transceiver with a fast link to the Internet. With possible transmit speeds of up to a gigabit per
second, this is an exciting area. Other applications for this technology include temporary connectivity
needs (e.g. sporting events, disaster scenes, or conventions), or space based communications.