Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, I will be able to:
• Describe the main components of the
electromagnetic spectrum;
• State the properties of ALL EM waves;
• Discuss the role of the respective EM
waves and some of their applications.
What are Electromagnetic Waves ?
• If you have ever tuned in to listen to a

radio, spoken on a cellphone, turned
on a light, had an X-ray taken, felt the
warmth of sun on your skin, then…
• You have experienced

electromagnetic wave
Electromagnetic Waves…
• Do not need matter to transfer

energy.
• Are made by vibrating electric
charges and can travel through space
by transferring energy between
vibrating electric and magnetic fields.
How do moving charges create
magnetic fields?
• Any moving electric charge is
surrounded by an electric field and a
magnetic field.
Produced by Electric field
Simultaneous
Magnetic field
vibration
Electric
field
Magnetic
field
Making Electromagnetic Waves
• When an electric charge vibrates, the
electric field around it changes
creating a changing magnetic field.
• An EM wave travels in all directions.
The figure only shows a wave
traveling in one direction.
• The electric and magnetic fields
vibrate at right angles to the
direction the wave travels so it is a
transverse wave.
Properties of EM Waves
• All matter contains charged particles
that are always moving; therefore, all
objects emit EM waves.
• The wavelengths become shorter as
the temperature of the material
increases.
What is the wavelength &
frequency of an EM wave?
• Wavelength= distance from crest to
crest.
• Frequency= number of wavelengths
that pass a given point in 1 s.
• As frequency increases, wavelength
becomes smaller.
Hence this is the complete EM wave
spectrum (the waves below in → ascending
order of wavelength; → descending order of
frequency)
Gamma X-rays Ultra- Visible Infra- Microwa Radio

rays violet light red ve wave
ray ray
Highest f Lowest f
Shortest λ Longest λ
Properties of EM Wave
1. All electromagnetic waves are
transverse wave
2. They do not require any medium to
travel through.
3. They travel at the speed of 3x108
m/s in vacuum.
4. They can all be reflected or
refracted
5. They can all be emitted or
absorbed by matter
6. They all obey the wave equation
v =f x λ
Where v = speed of wave (m/s)

f = frequency of wave (Hz)
λ = wavelength (m)
7. Their frequencies do not change
as they pass from one medium
to another. However, both their
speed and wavelength will
change.
v =f x λ
8. They carry energy from one place
to another.
9. They are all of neutral charge as

all of them oscillate with electric
and magnetic field perpendicular
to each other.
Overview of EM waves
Waves
Longitudinal Waves Transverse Waves
Sound waves Electromagnetic Waves
Classified into
Properties
Comprises of
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radiowave Infra-Red Ultra-Violet Gamma ray
Microwave Light X-ray
Applications
Gamma rays
•the shortest wavelengths
and highest frequencies
•Source/s: Cobalt-60
•Uses: sterilization of
medical instruments
Diagnosis and treatment of
diseases such as cancer
•Effects: can kill healthy
cells, can cause genes to
mutate
X-rays
•Source/s: X-ray tube,
stars
•Uses: radiotherapy,
radiography
•Effects: may damage
central nervous system,
damage cells
•Gadget for detection:
Photographic film
Ultra-violet
•Source/s: Sun, electric
spark, discharge tube,
mercury vapor lamp
•Uses: identification of
counterfeit notes, treatment
of skin complaints, kill
bacteria in food and surgical
instruments
•Effects: skin cancer,
blindness, skin aging,
sunburn
Visible Light
•Source/s: Sun,
flame, incandescent
objects
•Uses: allows for
seeing the world, use
in photosynthesis,
photography
•Effects: skin cancer
Infra-red
•Source/s: Sun, heater,
any hot bodies
•Uses: night vision
equipment,
thermography, cooking,
short-range
communications
•Effects: sunburn
Microwaves
•Source/s: oscillating
circuits
•Uses: locating objects
through radar system,
cooking
•Effects: internal
heating of body tissue
Radio waves
•Source/s: oscillating
circuits, stars
•Uses:
telecommunication,
broadcasting
•Effects: migraine,
headache, harm body
cells
Type of Frequency Wavelength
Radiation Range (Hz) Range
gamma-rays 1020 - 1024 < 10-12 m
x-rays 1017 - 1020 1 nm - 1 pm
ultraviolet 1015 - 1017 400 nm - 1 nm
visible 4 - 7.5*1014 750 nm - 400 nm
near-infrared 1*1014 - 4*1014 2.5 μm - 750 nm
infrared 1013 - 1014 25 μm - 2.5 μm
microwaves 3*1011 - 1013 1 mm - 25 μm
radio waves < 3*1011 > 1 mm
A. Practice Exercise:
1. What is the frequency of green
light that has a wavelength of 5.5
-7
x 10 m?
2. What is the wavelength of a
microwave that has a frequency
of 4.2 x108 Hz? (Assignment)
Solution in number 1
1. What is the frequency of green
light that has a wavelength of 5.5
x 10-7 m?
Given: Formula: f = v
λ = 5.5 x 10-7 m λ
v = 3.0 x 108 m/s Solution: f = 3.0 x 108 m/s
Unidentified: 5.5 x 10-7 m
f =? Answer: 5.45 x 1014 mz
How does radar work?
• Radio Detecting And Ranging or

radar is used to find position and
speed of objects by bouncing
radio waves off the object.
What is magnetic resonance imaging?
• MRI was developed in the 1980s to use

radio waves to diagnose illnesses with a
strong magnet and a radio wave emitter
and a receiver. Protons in H atoms of the
body act like magnets lining up with the
field. This releases energy which the
receiver detects and creates a map of the
body’s tissues.
SELF CHECK:
• Describe the main components of the
electromagnetic spectrum;
• State the properties of ALL EM waves;
• Discuss the role of the respective EM
waves and some of their applications.
Some tips to help you to remember:
• EM Spectrum
Raja’s Mother Is Visiting Uncle Xavier’s Garden
Radio Micro Infra-red Visible Ultra-violet X-rays Gamma

wave wave Rays light ray rays
• Visible Light Spectrum

Run Off You Girls Boys In View
red orange yellow green blue indigo violet

Electromagnetic Waves

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Electromagnetic

• If you have ever tuned in to listen to a

• You have experienced

• Do not need matter to transfer

Gamma X-rays Ultra- Visible Infra- Microwa Radio

Where v = speed of wave (m/s)

9. They are all of neutral charge as

Longitudinal Waves Transverse Waves

Sound waves Electromagnetic Waves

Radiowave Infra-Red Ultra-Violet Gamma ray

Microwave Light X-ray

• Radio Detecting And Ranging or

• MRI was developed in the 1980s to use

Radio Micro Infra-red Visible Ultra-violet X-rays Gamma

• Visible Light Spectrum

red orange yellow green blue indigo violet

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