T

frequency can be written as

V (ii)

or Wave velocity = Frequency × Wavelength

Thus, the wave velocity is the product of frequency and wavelength. It holds true for any periodic
wave, both for transverse or longitudinal waves.

ELECTROMAGNETICWAVES

An accelerated charge produces a sinusoidal time varying magnetic field, which in turn produces a
sinusoidal time varying electric field. The two fields so produced mutually perpendicular and are
sources to each other. “The mutually perpendicular time varying electric and magnetic fields
constitute electromagnetic waves which can propagate through empty space.

Characteristics of Electromagnetic waves

(i) The electric and magnetic fields satisfy the following waves equations

(vi) Electromagnetic waves obey the principle of superposition. Radar : In this instrument radio
waves of very short wavelength are used to locate the enemy aircraft or ship. A concave transmitter
mounted on rotating platform sends radio waves in all directions. The radiowaves on striking the
aircraft or ship are reflected back. The reflected radiowaves are received by concave receiver, which
is mounted at a small angle with the transmitter. On receiving the radio waves, the position of
enemy air-craft can be located on a monitor screen as a bright spot.

† Applications of ultrasound : The ultrasound is commonly used for medical diagnosis and
therapy, and also as a surgical tool. It is also used in a wide variety of industrial applications and
processes. Some creatures use ultrasound for information exchange and for the detection and
location of objects. Also some bats are found to use ultrasound for navigation and to locate food in
darkness or at a place where there is inadequate light for vision (method of search is called
echolocation).

LIGHT

† Light is that form of energy which enables people to ‘see’ things. For a person to see any
object, light energy must enter the eye. This energy is converted into a ‘picture’ in a very complex
process, but a simplified version is as follows:

(a) light enters the eye through a ‘hole’ in the iris, called the pupil,

(b) the crystalline lens focusses the light to form a real, inverted image on the retina,

(c) energy is collected by the rods and cones making up the retina.

(d) this energy is transmitted as electrical impulses via the optic nerve to the brain,

(e) the brain re-inverts the image and produces a ‘picture’.

† Reflection : When light rays strike the boundary of two media such as air and glass, a part of
light is turned back