Electromagnetic Waves

Definition: A wave consisting of fluctuating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other
and also perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave. Such waves are called
electromagnetic waves.
Representation of EMW

● Electric field Ex and magnetic field By are perpendicular to each other and to the direction z of
propagation.

∴ Ex = E0 sin (kz − ωt) …. (i) and By = B0 sin (kz − ωt) …. (ii

+ve sign for –ve X direction .-ve sign for +ve X direction of wave .

Direction of electromagnetic waves is same as E X B

Sources of Electromagnetic Waves

● Accelerated charges radiate electromagnetic waves − Maxwell’s theory.

● Frequency of the electromagnetic wave naturally equals the frequency of oscillation of the
charge.
Nature of Electromagnetic Waves
● Electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other and to
the direction of propagation.
Properties of EMW :-

1) These waves are produced by accelerated or oscillating charge. (Only such sources can
produce time varying filed and hence time varying magnetic field.)
2) These waves travel in straight line and do not require any material medium for propagation.
3) In space or vacuum speed of EMW is :
4) In medium speed of EMW is :
5) The amplitude of electric filed to the amplitude of magnetic field in free space :
6) These waves are transverse in nature.
7) Total energy of EMW is equally divided between electric field and magnetic field vectors.
8) In an EMW the electric field vector is responsible for optical effects.
9) Being uncharged, they are not deflected by electric or magnetic fields.
10) Since these waves have linear momentum and energy the exert pressure on the surface of
object on which they fall.

History of Electromagnetic Waves

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● Maxwell predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves purely from theoretical
considerations and showed that an accelerating charges emits em waves

● Hertz demonstrated the production of em waves- radio waves of wavelength 6 m.

● JC Bose succeeded in producing em waves of much shorter wavelength called microwaves.
● Marconi succeeded in transmitting em waves across the English channel
Electromagnetic Spectrum:-
The orderly distribution of electromagnetic radiations according to their wavelength or frequency is
called electromagnetic spectrum.

Type Wavelength Frequency Range Source of production

Range (m) (Hz) approx.

G Gamma Rays 10 -12 to 10-14 1020 Nuclear Origin

X X – Rays 10-9 – 10-12 1018 Excitation of inner shell e-s

or X-Ray tubes

U Ultraviolet rays 4x10-7 – 10-9 1016 Excitation of atom spark &

arc lamp

V Visible rays 4x10-7 – 7x10-7 1014 Excitation of valence e-s in

an atom.

I Infrared Rays 7x10-7 – 10-3 1013 Vibrations of atoms and

molecules.

M Microwaves 10-3 – 10-1 1010 Klystron Valve or

Magnetron valve

R Radio waves 10-1 - 102 500kHz to 1000MHz

Oscillating circuit.

Keyword : GXUVIMR,: wavelength increases from G to R and frequency increases from R to G

Uses of EM waves :-

1. Gamma Rays: emitted by radioactive nuclei.

a. Treatment of cancer and tumor (Radiotherapy ).
b. To preserve food stuff for a long time.
c. To produce nuclear reactions.
d. To study structure of atomic nucleus.
2. X – rays generated by bombardment of a metal target by high energy electrons.
a. In Surgery: - Fracture, Bullets, stone & disease organs.
b. In Engineering :- Detection of flaws like holes or cracks in metal bodies.
c. In radiotherapy: - To cure untraceable skin disease.
d. In Detective departments: - To detect gold or silver in bodies of smugglers.
e. In industry: - To check uniformity of materials.
f. In Scientific Research: - To study crystal structure

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3. Ultraviolet Rays : produced by special lamps or very hot bodies like sun.
a. To study molecular structure through ultraviolet absorption spectra.
b. To destroy bacteria and hence to sterilize surgical equipment and water.
c. To preserve food stuff.
d. Purification of water.
e. In burglar alarms.
f. To detect forged department &prints in forensic laboratory & to detect invisible writing.
g. As it can be focused as a narrow beam therefore can be used for high precision applications
such as LASIK eye surgery

Disadvantages of UV rays:
a. Induces the production of more melanin causing tanning of skin.
b. Is absorbed by ordinary glasses so we can avoid sunburn or tanning through glass window.
c. Welders wear special goggles or face mask with glass windows to protect their eyes from UV
produced by welding arcs.
d. Absorbed by Ozone layer present at an altitude of about 40-50 km.

4. Infrared Rays :- Produced by hot bodies and molecules.

These waves are also known as heat waves because water molecules present in most materials
readily absorb IR waves. After absorption, their thermal motion increases, so they get heat up and
heat their surroundings.
a. In physiotherapy.
b. To provide electrical energy by using solar cell.
c. IR detectors are used in Earth’s satellites, both for military purposes and to observe growth of
crops.
d. Electronic devices also emit IR rays and are widely used in remote switches of household
electronic systems such as T.V. sets, video recorders and hi-fi systems.
e. For producing dehydrated fruits.
f. For taking photographs in foggy or smoky conditions.
g. In greenhouse effect to keep Earth’s warmth due to their absorption by greenhouse gases
such as carbon dioxide and water vapour .
h. To reveal secret writing on ancient walls.
i. In solar water heater and solar cooker.
j. Used in night vision devices.

5. Microwaves:- Produced by special valve like klystrons, magnetrons and Gunn diodes.
a. In radar for aircraft navigation.
b. In hawk eye technology i e used to check speed of fast ball, tennis-serves and automobiles.
c. In microwave oven for cooking purposes. (In such ovens, the frequency of the microwaves is
selected to match the resonant frequency of water molecules so that energy from the waves is
transferred efficiently the kinetic energy of the molecules).
d. Used in communication,for observing movement of trains on rails while sitting in microwave
operated control rooms.
6. Radio waves :- Produced by the accelerated motion of charges in conducting wires.
a. Used in ground water propagation.

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b. Used in sky wave propagation.
c. Used to catch TV signals.
d. Use for commercial FM Radio.
e. Used in mobile communication.
f. Used in radio astronomy.
Questions and numericals :

Q1 Suppose that electric field part of an EM wave in vacuum is

E = 3.1 N/C cos [ (1.8 rad/m) y + (5.4 X 108 rad /sec )t ] î
1.What is the direction of motion? 2. What is the wavelength? 3. What is the frequency?
4. What is amplitude of magnetic part of the wave. 5. Write an expression for magnetic field part
of the wave?
CBSE Questions

1) How are radio waves produced?

2) A parallel plate capacitor is being charged by a time varying current. Explain briefly how
Amperes circuital Law is generalized to incorporate the effect due to the displacement current.
3) A plane EM wave travels in vacuum in Z- direction. What can you say about the direction of
electric and magnetic field vectors?
4) How are infrared waves produced? Why are they referred as ‘heat waves’ . Write their one
important use.
5) Name the part of EM spectrum whose wavelength lie in the range 10-10 m . Give its one use.
6) Draw a sketch of plane EM waves propagating along the Z- axis direction. Depict clearly the
direction of electric and magnetic field varying sinusoidally with Z.
7) Which part of EM spectrum has largest penetrating power?
8) Optical and radio telescopes are build on ground while X- Ray astronomy is possible only from
satellite orbiting around earth. Why?
9) Welders wear goggles to protect their eyes from which type of EM radiations?
10) Arrange the following EM radiations in ascending order of their frequencies :
a. Microwaves , Radio waves, X- Rays, Gamma Rays
Practice Worksheet
Very Short Answer Based Questions:
1. What is the cause of displacement current? How is it related to the conduction current? (Ans.
IC = ID)
2. Write the dimensional formula for 1/ . (Ans. L2T-2)
3. Electromagnetic waves travel in medium at a speed of 2 x 108 m/s. The relative permeability of
medium is 1. Find the relative permittivity. (Ans. 2.25)
4. Identify the part of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the following wavelengths belong:
(i) 10-1 m (ii) 10-12 m (Ans. radiowaves, gamma rays)
5. Name the electromagnetic radiations used (i) to identify finger prints in forensic laboratory (ii)
to reveal secret writing on ancient walls. (Ans.UV, IR)
6. What is the average value of electric field and magnetic field in a plane em wave?(Ans.0, 0)
7. What is the relationship between amplitude of electrical and magnetic fields in free space for
an electromagnetic radiation.(Ans. E/B = c)
8. Which of the following of any can act as a source of electromagnetic waves
(i) a charge moving with a constant velocity
(ii) a charge moving in a circular orbit
(iii) a charge at rest. Give reason. (Ans. ii, accelerated charge)

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9. A free electron is placed in the path of a plane electromagnetic wave. In which direction the
electron will start moving? Give reason. (Ans. opposite to the dirn of electric field )
10. A variable-frequency AC source is connected to a capacitor. Will the displacement current
increase or decrease with increase in frequency? Give reason. (Ans. increase X c decreases)
11. State the condition under which a microwave oven heats up a food item containing water
molecules most efficiently.
12. A plane electromagnetic travels in free space along X-axis. At a particular point in space, the
electric field along Y-axis is 9.3 V/m. Find the magnitude and direction of magnetic field at this point.
(Z-axis, 3.1x 10-8 T)
13. If vg , vx and vm are the speeds of gamma rays x-rays and microwaves respectively(i) in
vacuum (ii) in a medium then what is the relation between vg , vx and vm? Give reason.(Ans. vg = vx =
vm, vg> vx > vm)
14. (i) Special devices, like the klystron value or the magnetron value, are used for production of
electromagnetic waves.name the waves and also write one of their applications.(Ans. microwaves)
(ii) Find the wavelength of electromagnetic waves of frequency 4 x10 9 Hz in free space. Give its
two applications.
15. What happens to the wavelength & frequency when an electromagnetic
Wave of frequency 3 MHz passes from vacuum into a dielectric medium of relative permittivity Ԑr =
4?(Ans. freq. same , wavelength ½)
Short Answer Based Questions( Type II):
16. Electromagnetic radiations with wavelength
(i)λ1 are used to kill germs in water purifiers.
(ii) λ2 are used in TV communication system.
(iii) λ3 plays an important role in maintaining the earth’s warmth.
Name the part of electromagnetic spectrum to which these radiations belong. Arrange these
wavelengths in decreasing order of their magnitude.
17. Show that during the charging of a parallel plate capacitor, the rate of change of charge on
each plate equals Ԑo times the rate of change of electric flux фE linked with it. What is the name given
to the term Ԑod фE/dt?
18. Write the order of frequency range and one use of each of the following electromagnetic
radiations :
(i) microwaves
(ii) ultraviolet rays
(iii) gamma rays
19. What is meant by transverse nature of electromagnetic waves? Draw a diagram showing the
propagation of an electromagnetic wave along X-direction, indicating clearly the directions of
oscillating electric and magnetic fields associated with it.
20. The electric field part of a plane em in vacuum wave is represented by Ex = 0, Ey = 0.5 cos[2π
x 108(t – x/c) ]; Ez = 0
(i) What is the direction of propagation of em wave?
(ii) Determine the wavelength of the wave?
(iii) Compute the component of the associated magnetic field.

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