Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves, or EM waves, are produced by vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic field. In other words, electromagnetic waves are made up of oscillating magnetic and electric fields.

Electromagnetic waves are created when an electric field interacts with a magnetic field. As a result, they are referred to as ‘electromagnetic’ waves. An electromagnetic wave’s electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular (at right angles) to one other. They are also perpendicular to the EM wave’s direction. They are not deflected by either the electric or magnetic fields. They can, however, cause interference or diffraction.

An electromagnetic wave may pass through any medium, including air, solid matter, and vacuum. It does not require a medium to spread or move from one location to another. Radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, X-rays, gamma rays, and other electromagnetic waves are examples of EM waves.

Displacement Current Equation

Maxwell’s equation depicts displacement current as having the same unit and impact on the magnetic field as conduction current.

▽ × H = J + J_D

Where,

H is connected to the magnetic field B in the same way that

B = μH

μ is the degree of permeability of the medium between the plates.

The conducting current density is denoted by J.

The displacement current density is denoted by J_D.

Learn About the Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves

The main thing to know about electromagnetic waves (e.g., microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays) is that it is not particles of matter; it is electromagnetic waveforms with no charge or mass that may be classified by frequency, wavelength, and velocity.

Electromagnetic radiation detectors

Electromagnetic radiation detectors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most longer waves, such as radio waves, need the use of electronic instruments to detect them.

Inventing and detecting

Electrons generate a magnetic field when they move. This oscillation can be caused by atoms being heated and hence moving quickly, or by alternating current (AC) electricity. When an electromagnetic wave comes into contact with matter, the opposite consequence happens. This is in opposition to sound compression waves.

What are the four main properties of electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves have the following characteristics:

(i)Electromagnetic waves are propagated by oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other.

(ii) In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves have a constant velocity.

(iii) Electric and magnetic fields do not reflect electromagnetic waves.

(iv) Electromagnetic waves, like light waves, can demonstrate reflection and refraction.

Electromagnetic Wave Speed

Nothing else in the universe has been seen to travel at this speed. If you could move so quickly, you could circle the Earth 7.5 times in a single second!

Electromagnetic Wavelength and Frequency

The distance between matching locations of consecutive waves is defined as the wavelength. Electromagnetic waves have frequencies ranging from hundreds to trillions of waves per second.

The energy of electromagnetic waves is proportional to their frequency. Low-frequency waves have less energy and are usually safe. Waves with a higher frequency have greater energy.

A wave’s speed is determined by its wavelength and frequency. Because the speed of electromagnetic waves across space remains constant, if the other value is known, the wavelength or frequency of an electromagnetic wave may be derived.

Electromagnetic waves can be classified based on the direction of disruption and the frequency range in which they occur. That indicates two things are happening: the disturbance that characterises a wave and the propagation of the wave. In this sense, the waves are divided into two categories:

Longitudinal waves: When the disturbances in a wave are parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave, the wave is called a longitudinal wave. Sound waves, for example, are longitudinal waves because the pressure change takes place parallel to the direction of wave motion.

Transverse waves: When the disturbances in a wave are perpendicular (at right angles) to the wave’s propagation path, the wave is termed a transverse wave.

Transverse waves are electromagnetic waves. That is, the electric and magnetic fields vary (oscillate) in a plane perpendicular to the wave’s propagation path. Electric fields and magnetic fields (E and B) in an EM wave are perpendicular to each other and the wave’s propagation direction.

Different applications of this flexibility give an additional criterion for categorising electromagnetic waves, as follows:

Waves that are linearly polarised The wave is said to be linearly polarised if the electric field (and hence the magnetic field) changes in such a way that its direction remains parallel to a line in space as it travels.

Waves with a circular polarisation The wave is said to be circularly or elliptically polarised if the change in the electric field happens in a circle or an ellipse. As a result, the direction of disturbance (oscillation) in a plane perpendicular to the path of wave propagation is determined by the polarisation of a transverse wave.

Conclusion

In other words, our usual senses are incapable of detecting them. Because X- and gamma rays have no mass or electrical charge, they are unaffected by electrical or magnetic fields and will move in straight lines. Radiation has a dual nature. At times acting like a particle, and at others like a wave. The small “packets” of energy with these properties have been given the term “photon.” Every point in the spectrum represents a different wavelength of a waveform. The frequency of electromagnetic waves is an inherent characteristic. Changing the electric field, according to Maxwell, produces a magnetic field. Electromagnetic waves are created by accelerated charges.