CHAPTER 8

ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVES
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

A time-varying electric field produces a changing magnetic

field. A time-varying magnetic field produces a changing
electric field.
The change in either field produces the other field. These
variations in electric and magnetic fields occur in mutually
perpendicular directions.

This produces a wave of electric and magnetic fields both

varying in space and time, one providing the source of the
other. Such a wave is called an electromagnetic wave.
How are electromagnetic waves produced?

 A stationary charge produces only

electrostatic fields.
 A charge in uniform motion or steady current
produces only magnetic field.

 These fields do not vary with time.

 Then how do we get time varying electric and

magnetic field?
 Variation of electric field by an accelerated
charge also simultaneously induces a varying
magnetic field.
 SOURCE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES:

An accelerating charge produces electromagnetic waves.

An accelerated charge produces oscillating electric field in space, which produces an oscillating magnetic field, which
in turn, is a source of oscillating electric field, and so on. The oscillating electric and magnetic fields thus regenerate
each other, and the wave propagates through the space.

These oscillating fields are always mutually perpendicular to each other and to the direction of
Propagation of the wave.

Electromagnetic waves are hence transverse waves.

The frequency of electromagnetic wave is equal to the frequency of oscillation of the charge.
Propogation of Electromagnetic wave:
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

Consider an electromagnetic wave shown in figure.

oscillates along Y-axis and oscillates along Z-axis.
The electromagnetic wave is travelling along X –
axis.

The values of electric and magnetic field depend on

and
MATHEMATICAL REPRESENTATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVE

(1)

is propagation constant of wave and angular frequency

Here
MATHEMATICAL REPRESENTATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

(2)

is propagation constant of wave and angular frequency

Here
Variations in electric and magnetic fields are in same phase
MATHEMATICAL REPRESENTATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

=
Speed of electromagnetic wave depends on permittivity and permeability
of medium of propagation.
How Electromagnetic waves differ
from Transverse Mechanical waves
and sound waves:?
 They are self-sustaining oscillations of electric and magnetic fields in free space, or
vacuum.
 They differ from all the other waves in respect that no material medium is involved in the
vibrations of the electric and magnetic fields. Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves
of compression and rarefaction.
MATHEMATICAL REPRESENTATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

In a material medium,

=
=
Where is speed of electromagnetic wave in a medium with permeability
and permittivity
kis dielectric constant of medium and is its relative permeability.
The velocity of light depends on electric and magnetic properties of the medium.
 Electromagnetic waves carry energy and momentum.
 Energy is stored in both electric and magnetic fields, giving the total energy density of an
electromagnetic wave. Each field contributes half the total energy density.

  Radiation Pressure: In addition to carrying energy, electromagnetic waves also carry

momentum. This means that a force will be exerted by the wave. And force exerted per unit
area is called Radiation pressure.
ENERGY DENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVE

Energy density of an electromagnetic wave is the energy in unit volume of the space through which the wave
travels.

In free space, energy density of static field E is

In free space, energy density of static field B is

ENERGY DENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

Total energy density of the static electric and magnetic fields is

+
In an electromagnetic wave, both electric and magnetic fields vary sinusoidally in space and time. The average
energy density of electromagnetic wave is

+
+
 ENERGY DENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

=
In an electromagnetic wave, the average energy density of the E field equals the average density of the B field.
ENERGY DENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

= =

= =
INTENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

The energy crossing per unit area per unit time in

a direction perpendicular to the direction of
propagation is called intensity of the wave.
INTENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

Energy contained is

Intensity of the wave,

INTENSITY OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

c=
PRESSURE EXERTED BY AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

When an electromagnetic wave falls on a surface, it exerts pressure on the surface. This pressure is called
radiation pressure.

Where is intensity of the wave

 MOMENTUM OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

An electromagnetic wave transports linear momentum as it travels through space. If an electromagnetic wave
transfers a total energy to a surface in time then total linear momentum delivered to the surface is
 PROPERTIES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

1) They are produced by accelerated charges and do not require any material medium for propagation.

2) The directions of and are perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to direction of propagation of
the wave. Hence they are transverse in nature.

3) The oscillations of and fields are in same phase.

PROPERTIES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

4) All electromagnetic waves travel in free space with same speed,

3 x 108 ms-1
and in material medium with speed,
= =
where n is refractive index of medium.

5) The ratio of amplitudes of electric and magnetic fields is

 PROPERTIES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

6) They are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields.

7) These waves obey principle of superposition.
8) They show properties of reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and polarisation.
9) Average energy density of an electromagnetic wave is

The energy carried by electromagnetic wave is shared equally by electric and magnetic fields.
 PROPERTIES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

10) Electromagnetic waves transport linear momentum as they trave through space given by

11) The electric field of an electromagnetic wave is responsible for its optical effects because
 ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

The orderly distribution of the electromagnetic waves in accordance with their wavelength or frequency
into distinct groups having widely differing properties is called electromagnetic spectrum.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

The various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency or decreasing
wavelength is as follows:
1) Radio waves
2) Microwaves
3) Infrared waves
4) Visible light
5) Ultraviolet light
6) X-rays
7) Gamma rays
CONCEPT OF WAVELENGTH FREQUENCY AND
AMPLITUDE OF A WAVE:

In EM WAVE E˳
and B˳ are
amplitude of
electric field and
magnetic field
respectively.
Low Energy to high energy
1) RADIO WAVES

WAVELENGTH 600 m to 0.1 m

FREQUENCY 500 kHz to 1000 MHz

PROPERTIES Reflection, diffraction

USES 1) In radio and television communication systems

2) In radio astronomy
2) MICROWAVES

WAVELENGTH 0.3 m to 10-3m

FREQUENCY 109 Hz to 1012 Hz
PROPERTIES Reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarisation, can
travel as a beam in a signal due to shorter wavelengths

USES 1) In radar systems

2) In microwave ovens
3) In long-distance communication systems via
geostationary satellites.
3) INFRARED WAVES

WAVELENGTH 5 X 10-3 m to 10-6 m

FREQUENCY 1011 Hz to 5 x 1014 Hz
PROPERTIES Reflection, refraction, diffraction, heating effect,
propagation through fog
USES 1) In green houses to keep plants warm.
2) In TV remote control.
3) In haze photography as infrared waves are
scattered less than visible light by particles of
atmosphere.
4) In reading the secret writings on the ancient
walls.
5) In the study of molecular structure.
6) Infrared lamps in the treatment of muscular
complaints.
4) VISIBLE LIGHT

WAVELENGTH 8 x 10-7 m to 4 x 10-7 m

FREQUENCY 4 x 1014 Hz to 7 x 1014 Hz
PROPERTIES Reflection, refraction, interference,
diffraction, polarisation, photoelectric effect,
photographic action, sensation of sight.
USES 1) It provides us with information of the
world around us.
2) It can cause chemical reactions.
5) ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

WAVELENGTH 3.5 x 10-7 m to 1.5 x 10-7 m

FREQUENCY 1016 Hz to 1017 Hz

PROPERTIES Effect on photographic plate, fluorescence, ionisation,

highly energetic, tanning of human skin.

USES 1) In food preservation.

2) In the study of molecular structure.
3) In the study of invisible writings, forged
documents and finger prints.
 6) X-RAYS

WAVELENGTH 100 A0 to 0.1 A0

FREQUENCY 1018 Hz to 1022 Hz
PROPERTIES Effect on photographic plate, ionisation of gases,
photoelectric effect, fluorescence, more energetic than UV
rays.
USES 1) In medical diagnosis as they can pass through flesh but
not through bones.
2) In the study of crystal structure as they can be reflected
and diffracted by crystals.
3) In radiotherapy to cure untraceable skin diseases and
malignant growths.
4) In engineering for detecting cracks, faults, flaws and
holes in the finished metal products.
5) In detective departments to detect explosives, diamond,
gold etc in the possession of smugglers.
7) GAMMA RAYS

WAVELENGTH 10-14 to 10-10 m

FREQUENCY 1018 to 1022 Hz
PROPERTIES Effect on photographic plate, ionisation, fluorescence,
diffraction, high penetrating power.

USES 1) In radiotherapy for treatment of malignant

tumours.
2) In preservation of food stuffs.
3) To initiate some nuclear reactions.
4) In the manufacture of polyethylene from ethylene.
5) To study the structure of atomic nuclei.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM