Electromagnetic Waves

An electromagnetic wave is a way of transfer of energy that is emitted or absorbed by accelerating charged particles., such as electrons. It is a form of energy that travels through space as a wave, characterized by oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields.

Table of Contents:

• General Characteristics of a Wave
• Are Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation the same?
• FAQs

Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to propagate, they can travel through vacuum, air, and other substances. They are transverse waves, meaning that the oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields are at right angles to the direction of the wave’s propagation.

General Characteristics of a Wave

The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave and frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in one second. The two properties are related by the speed of light, which is constant for all types of electromagnetic waves.

Speed of light = frequency × wavelength 

c = νλ

The electromagnetic spectrum represents all types of electromagnetic waves, arranged according to their wavelength and frequency. It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Each type of wave has different properties and is used for different purposes.

Examples of electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. They have various applications, such as communication, heating, lighting, imaging, and medical treatment.

Are Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation the same?

Electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic radiation are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.

Electromagnetic waves are the oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields that travel through space and make up the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. They are all characterized by their wavelength, frequency, and speed of light.

On the other hand, electromagnetic radiation is a more general term that refers to the emission and absorption of electromagnetic waves by charged particles, such as electrons. It includes the electromagnetic waves that make up the electromagnetic spectrum and other types of radiation that are not visible to the human eye, such as cosmic rays and neutrinos.

For example, microwaves are electromagnetic waves which belong to the electromagnetic spectrum. They are used in microwave ovens to heat food, while electromagnetic radiation includes microwaves and other types of radiation like cosmic rays, gamma rays, etc.

Another example, X-rays are the electromagnetic wave that belongs to the electromagnetic spectrum and are used in medical imaging. At the same time, electromagnetic radiation includes X-rays and other types of radiation like cosmic rays, gamma rays, etc.

So, in summary, electromagnetic waves refer to the specific types of oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields that make up the electromagnetic spectrum, while electromagnetic radiation is a more general term that refers to the emission and absorption of these waves by charged particles.

Electromagnetic Waves FAQs

Grade 7 Science Worksheets

• Elements and Compounds
• Solar Energy
• Photosynthesis
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Law of conservation of energy
• Periodic table
• Properties of Matter
• Waves
• Energy Resources 
• Weather and Climate
• Immune, Circulatory and Digestive Systems
• Organs in Multi-cellular Organism
• Sedimentary, Igneous, and Metamorphic Rocks
• Structure of the Earth
• Law of Conservation of Mass
• Physical and Chemical Changes
• Scientific Method
• Human Digestive System
• Environmental Science
• Renewable and Non-renewable energy Resources
• Characteristics of Living Organisms
• Life Science
• Earth and Space Science
• Solar Eclipse
• Heat Technology
• Newton’s Laws of Motions
• Physical Science
• Tools, Measurement and SI Units
• Earth Atmosphere
• Interactions of Living things
• The Earth Ecosystem
• Organelles in Plant and Animal cells
• Layers of the Earth
• Cycles in Nature

Grade 7 Math Worksheets

• Fractions
• Linear equations word problems
• Statistics
• Properties of Parallel Line 
• Finding slope from an equation
• Identifying Quadrilaterals
• Percent Change
• Properties of addition and multiplication
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Solving two step inequalities
• Symmetry
• Fractions to Decimals (New)
• Whole Number Exponents with Integer Bases (New)
• Adding and Subtracting Fractions (New)
• Integer Addition and Subtraction (New)
• Dividing Mixed Numbers (New)
• Basics of Coordinate Geometry (New)