The Nature of The Nature of Electromagnetic Electromagnetic

WavesWaves

Electromagnetic RadiationElectromagnetic Radiation

EMR requires no medium to travel- EMR requires no medium to travel- can travel thru a vacuumcan travel thru a vacuum

SpeedSpeed300,000 kilometers /sec300,000 kilometers /sec186,000 miles /sec186,000 miles /sec

Consists of changing electric and Consists of changing electric and magnetic fieldsmagnetic fields

Changing electric and magnetic fieldsChanging electric and magnetic fields Electric field is a region where particles can be pushed or pulled.Electric field is a region where particles can be pushed or pulled.

Wherever there is an electric charge there is an electric field Wherever there is an electric charge there is an electric field associated w/it.associated w/it.

A moving electric charge is part of an electric currentA moving electric charge is part of an electric current An electric current is surrounded by a magnetic fieldAn electric current is surrounded by a magnetic field

A magnetic field is a region in which magnetic forces are presentA magnetic field is a region in which magnetic forces are present When electric field changes – so does the magnetic field.When electric field changes – so does the magnetic field.

EMR - Wave or Particle?EMR - Wave or Particle? Acts like a wave sometimes – ie: Polarizing FilterActs like a wave sometimes – ie: Polarizing Filter

EMR - Wave or Particle?EMR - Wave or Particle? Acts like a particle, a photon, sometimes – ie: Photoelectric CellActs like a particle, a photon, sometimes – ie: Photoelectric Cell

EMS wavesEMS waves Long wavelength : Low Frequency & Low EnergyLong wavelength : Low Frequency & Low Energy Short wavelength : High Frequency & High Energy Short wavelength : High Frequency & High Energy

Radio & MicrowavesRadio & Microwaves Longest wavelengths & Longest wavelengths &

lowest frequency of the lowest frequency of the EMSEMS– Include Include Am, FM and Am, FM and

TelevisionTelevision frequencies frequencies AMAM – – Amplitude Amplitude

modulationmodulation: same : same frequency waves just a frequency waves just a change in the amplitude change in the amplitude to get different sounds to get different sounds etc.etc.

FMFM – – Frequency Frequency ModulationModulation: slight : slight changes in frequencychanges in frequency

Microwave & Infrared EMRMicrowave & Infrared EMR MicrowaveMicrowave: used in microwave ovens & cellular : used in microwave ovens & cellular

phonesphones InfraredInfrared: Fast Food Heat Lamps, use as a night : Fast Food Heat Lamps, use as a night

time surveillance tool.time surveillance tool.

Visible LightVisible Light White light is a mixture of the entire visible light White light is a mixture of the entire visible light

spectrumspectrum

UV, Xray & Gamma raysUV, Xray & Gamma rays UVUV from the Sun helps the body produce vitamin D, too from the Sun helps the body produce vitamin D, too

much exposure can cause skin cancer much exposure can cause skin cancer XraysXrays: used extensively in medicine to see “into” the body: used extensively in medicine to see “into” the body Gamma RaysGamma Rays: used in medicine to treat cancer or : used in medicine to treat cancer or

destructive radiation from nuclear explosions.destructive radiation from nuclear explosions.