Physics : Electromagnetic Waves ALLEN®

Pre-Medical

Chapter No. 04
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

S.No. Contents Page

01. Concept of displacement current 193
02. Maxwell's equations 194
03. Hertz experiment 194
04. Properties of EMW 194
05. Transverse nature of EMW 195
06. Parts of electromagnetic spectrum 200
07. Exercise-I (Conceptual Questions) 202
08. Exercise-II (Previous Years Questions)
EN 204
09. Exercise-III (Analytical Questions) 206
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A

NEET SYLLABUS
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES : Need for displacement current. Electromagnetic waves and their characteristics (qualitative
ideas only). Transverse nature of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared,
visible, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.

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JAMES CLERK MAXWELL (1831 – 1879)

born in Edinburgh, Scotland, was among the greatest physicists of the

nineteenth century. He derived the thermal velocity distribution of molecules in

a gas and was among the first to obtain reliable estimates of molecular

parameters from measurable quantities like viscosity, etc. Maxwell’s greatest

achievement was the unification of the laws of electricity and magnetism

(discovered by Coulomb, Oersted, Ampere and Faraday) into a consistent set

EN
of equations now called Maxwell’s equations. From these he arrived at the most important conclusion

that light is an electromagnetic wave. Interestingly, Maxwell did not agree with the idea (strongly

suggested by the Faraday’s laws of electrolysis) that electricity was particulate in nature.
LL
A

HEINRICH RUDOLF HERTZ (1857 – 1894)

German physicist who was the first to broadcast and receive radio waves. He

produced electromagnetic waves, sent them through space, and measured

their wavelength and speed. He showed that the nature of their vibration,

reflection and refraction was the same as that of light and heat waves,

establishing their identity for the first time. He also pioneered research on

discharge of electricity through gases, and discovered the photoelectric effect.

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ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
INTRODUCTION
A changing electric field produces a changing magnetic field and vice versa which gives rise to a transverse
wave known as electromagnetic waves. In electromagnetic waves time varying electric field and magnetic
field are mutually perpendicualr to each other as well as perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Y Ey
Thus the electromagnetic waves consist of
sinusoidally time varying electric and magnetic
c
field acting at right angles to each other as well as X
at right angles to the direction of propagation. Bz
Z

HISTORY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

 In the year 1865, Maxwell predicted the electromagnetic waves theoretically. According to him, an
accelerated charge sets up a magnetic field in its neighborhood.
 In 1887, Hertz produced and detected electromagnetic waves experimentally at wavelength of about 6m.
 Seven year later, J.C. Bose became successful in producing electromagnetic waves of wavelength in the
range 5mm to 25mm. EN
 In 1896, Marconi discovered that if one of the spark gap terminals is connected to an antenna and the other
terminal is earthed, the electromagnetic waves radiated could go upto several kilometers.
 The antenna and the earth wiresfrom the two plates of a capacitor which radiates radio frequency waves.
These waves could be received at a large distance by making use of an antenna earth system as detector.
 Using these arrangements, in 1899 Marconi first established wireless communication across the English
channel i.e., across a distance of about 50 km.
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1. CONCEPT OF DISPLACEMENT CURRENT

When a capacitor is allowed to charge in an electric circuit, the current flows through connecting wires. As
capacitor charges, charge accumulates on the two plates of capacitor and as a result, a changing electric
field is produced across between the two plate of the capacitor.
A

According to maxwell changing electric field intensity is equivalent to a

+ E –
current through capacitor that current is known as displacement current (Id). If + –
+ q and – q be the charge on the left and right plates of the capacitor I=IC + – I=IC
I=Id
respectively at any instant if  be the surface charge density of plate of + –
 q + –
capacitor the electric field between the plate is given by E   + –
0 0 A
charge on the plates of the capacitor increased by dq in time dt then dq = I dt
dq I dt dE I
change in electric field is dE   r 
0 A 0 A dt 0 A
dE d d dE
I  0 A  0 (EA)  0 E ( E  EA) I d 0
dt dt dt dt
The conduction current is the current due to the flow of charges in a conductor and is denoted as Ic and
displacement current is the current due to changing electric field between the plate of the capacitor and
denoted as Id so the total current I is sum of Ic and Id i.e. I = Ic + Id
Ampere's circuital law can be written as
     d 
 B.d = 0 (Ic + Id) r  B.d = 0  Ic  0 dtE 
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2. MAXWELL'S EQUATION
There are four Maxwell's equations are given below
 
q
(1) Gauss law in electrostatics :  E.ds   0
...(i)

 
(2) Gauss law in magnetism :  B.ds 0 ...(ii)

  dB
(3) Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction : emf  E.d   dt
...(iii)

   d 
(4) Maxwell - Ampere's circuital law :    0 Ic  0 dtE 
B.d ... (iv)

3. HERTZ EXPERIMENT (Practical production of EM waves)

 In 1888, Hertz demonstrated the production of electromagnetic
Input
waves by oscillating charge. His experimental apparatus is shown
schematically in fig.


EN
An induction coil is connected to two spherical electrodes with a
narrow gap between them. It acts as a transmitter. The coil provides
Induction
coil

short voltage surges to the spheres making one positive and the other
Transmitter
negative. A spark is generated between the spheres when the voltage q –q
between them reaches the breakdown voltage for air. As the air in the
LL
Receiver
gap is ionised, it conducts more rapidly and the discharge between the
spheres becomes oscillatory.
 The above experimental arrangement is equivalent to an LC circuit, where the inductance is that of the loop
and the capacitance is due to the spherical electrodes.
A

 Electromagnetic waves are radiated at very high frequency (100 MHz) as a result of oscillation of free
charges in the loop.
 Hertz was able to detect these waves using a single loop of wire with its own spark gap (the receiver).
 Sparks were induced across the gap of the receiving electrodes when the frequency of the receiver was
adjusted to match that of the transmitter.

4. PROPERTIES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

 The electric and magnetic fields satisfy the following wave equations, which can be obtained from Maxwell's
third and fourth equations.
2E 2E 2B 2B
   and   
x2 t2 x2 t2
0 0 0 0

 Electromagnetic waves travel through vacuum with the speed of light c, where
1
c  3  108 m / s
00

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 The electric and magnetic fields of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other and also
perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Hence, these are transverse waves.
 
 The instantaneous magnitudes of E and B in an electromagnetic wave are related by the expression
E
v
B
 Electromagnetic waves carry energy. The rate of flow of energy crossing a unit area is described by the
 
1  
Poynting vector S . Where S EB
0
 Electromagnetic waves carry momentum and hence can exert pressure(P) on surfaces,which is known as

radiation pressure. For an electromagnetic wave with Poynting vector S , incident upon a perfectly
S
absorbing surface P 
c
2S
and if incident upon a perfectly reflecting surface P 
c
 The electric and magnetic fields of a sinusoidal plane electromagnetic wave propagating in the positive
x-direction can also be written as
E = Em sin(kx – t) and B = Bm sin(kx – t)
where is the angular frequency of the wave and k is wave number which are given by


  2f and
EN
k
2

The intensity of a sinusoidal plane electro-magnetic wave is defined as the average value of Poynting vector
E mBm E2 c 2
taken over one cycle. S av   m  Bm
20 20 c 20
 The fundamental sources of electromagnetic waves are accelerating electric charges. For examples radio
LL
waves emitted by an antenna arises from the continuous oscillations (and hence acceleration) of charges
within the antenna structure.
 Electromagnetic waves obey the principle of superposition.
 The electric vector of an electromagnetic field is responsible for all optical effects. For this reason electric
vector is also called a light vector.
A

5. TRANSVERSE NATURE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

Maxwell showed that a changing electric field produces a changing magnetic field and vice-versa. This
alternate production of time 'varying electric and magnetic fields gives rise to the propagation of
 
electromagnetic waves. The variation of electric field ( E ) and magnetic field ( B ) are mutually perpendicular
to each other as well as the direction of the propagation of the wave i.e., the electromagnetic waves are
transverse in nature.
Proof :
Y
Consider a plane electromagnetic wave travelling along X-direction
F B
with its wave front in the Y–Z plane and ABCD is its portion at time plane wave
E A
t. The values of electric field and magnetic field to the left of ABCD front
will depend on x and t (and not on y and z as the wave under
consideration is a plane wave propagating in x direction.
C
X
According to Gauss' law, the total electric flux across the O
direction of
parallelopiped' ABCDOEFG is zero because it does not enclose any Z G D propagation
charge.

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 
i.e.  E.dS  0
           
or 
ABCD
E.dS  
EFOG
E.dS  
ADGE
E.dS 
BCOF
 E.dS 
OCDG
 E.dS  
FBAE
E.dS  0 ...(i)


since electric field E does not depend on y and z, so the contribution to the electric flux coming from the
faces normal to y and z axes cancel out in pairs.
   
i.e. 
OCDG
E.dS  
FBAE
E.dS  0 ... (ii)

   
and 
ADGE
E.dS  
BCOF
E.dS  0 ... (iii)

Using equation (ii) and (iii) in equation (i), we get

   


ABCD
E.dS  
EFOG
E.dS  0 ...(iv)

   
Now 
ABCD
E.dS  
ABCD
E x .dS cos 0  
ABCD
E x dS  E x 
ABCD
dS ( E x is parallel to dS )

 
= Ex × area of face ABCD = ExS
EN 
... (v)

and 
EFOG
E ' .dS  
EFOG
E ' x dS cos180  E 'x
EFOG
 dS ( E x is antiparallel to dS )

= E 'x × area of faceEFOG = E 'x S ... (vi)

LL

where, Ex and E 'x are the x-components of electric field on the faces ABCD and EFOG respectively.

Substituting the values of equations (v) and (vi) in equation (iv), we get

ExS – Ex'S = 0 or S(Ex – Ex') = 0

A

 S 0

Ex – Ex' = 0 or E 'x = E x

This equation shows that the value of the x-component of electric field does not change with time. In other
words, electric field along x-axis is static.
Since the static electric field cannot propagate the wave, hence the electric field parallel to the direction of
the propagation of the wave is zero.
i.e. Ex' = Ex = 0
It means, electric field is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
Similarly, it can be proved that the magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the
wave.
Since both electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the wave, so

electromagnetic wave is transverse in nature.

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GOLDEN KEY POINTS
 When a capacitor is connected across the battery through the connecting wires there is flow of conduction
current Ic while through the gap between the plates of capacitor, there is flow of displacement current Id.

 Maxwell's equation are mathematical formulation of (I) Gauss' law in electrostatics (II) Gauss' law in
electromagnetism (III) Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and (IV) Ampere's circuital law

 Frequency of electromagnetic waves is its inherent characteristic when an electromagnetic wave travels
from one medium to another, its wavelength changes but frequency remains unchanged.

 Ozone layer absorbs the ultra-violet rays from the sun and these prevents them from producing harmful
effect on living organisms on the earth. Further it traps the infra-red rays and prevents them from escaping
the surface of earth. It helps to keeps the earth's atmosphere warm

Illustrations
Illustration 1.

A point source of electromagnetic radiation has an average power output of 800W. The maximum value of
EN
electric field at a distance 3.5 m from the source will be –

Solution.

Pav E2
Intensity of electromagnetic wave given is by I   m
4r 2
2o c
LL

 o cPav (4   107 )  (3  108 )  800

Em  = = 62.6 V/m
2r 2 2  (3.5)2

Illustration 2.
A

In the above problem, the maximum value of magnetic field will be –

Solution.

Em 62.6
The maximum value of the magnetic field is given by B m   = 2.09 × 10–7 T
c 3  108

Illustration 3.

In an electomagnetic wave, the amplitude of electric field is I V/m. The frequency of wave is
5 × 1014 Hz. The wave is propagating along z-axis. The average energy density of electric field, in Joule/m3,
will be –

Solution.

Average energy density is given by

2
1 1 E  1 1
uE   E 2  o  o   o E 2o =   8.85  1012  (1)2 = 2.2 × 10 J/m
–12 3

2 o 2  2 4 4

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Illustration 4.

Fig. shows a capacitor made of two circular plates, each of radius 12 cm, and separated by 5.0 mm. The
capacitor is being charged by an external source (not shown in the figure). The charging current is constant
and equal to 0.15 A.

I 12 cm 12 cm
I
5mm

(a) Calculate the capacitance and the rate of change of potential difference between the plates.
(b) Obtain the displacement current across the plates.
Solution.

(a) Area of one of the plates.

A = (12 × 10–2m)2

Distance between the plates, d = 5.0 mm = 5 × 10–3 m

Capacitance of the capacitor, C = 0 A/d EN

 1  (12  10 –2 m)2
or C F / m 
 4  9  109  5  10 –3 m

= 80 × 10–12 F = 80 pF

dQ d
Charging current, I =  (CV)
dt dt
LL

dV dV I
or I=C or 
dt dt C

dV I
Rate of change of potential difference = 
dt C
A

0.15A
= = 1.87 × 109 V/s
80  10 –12 F

 dE 
(b) Displacement current Id = 0A  
 dt 

For a parallel-plate capacitor,

 Q/A Q
E  
0 0 0 A

Where  is surface density of charge.

d d Q 
Thus, Id = 0A (E) = 0A 
dt dt  0 A 

dQ
= = I = 0.15A
dt

(or simply, Id = I = 0.15 A)

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Illustration 5.
In a plane electromagnetic wave, the electric field oscillates sinusoidally at a frequency of 2.0 × 1010 Hz and
amplitude 48 V/m.
(a) What is the wavelength of the wave ?
(b) What is the amplitude of the oscillating magnetic field ?
(c) Find the total average energy density of the electromagnetic field of the wave.
Solution.
We are given that;
E0 = 48 V/m,  = 2.0 × 1010 Hz and c = 3 × 108 V/m
(a) Wavelengths of the wave,
c 3  108 m / s
=  = 1.5 × 10–2 m
 2.0  10 s
10 –1

(b) Amplitude of the oscillating magnetic field,

E0 48V / m
B0 =  = 1.6 × 10–7 T
c 3  108 m / s
(c) Total average energy density,

ua  =
1
2
0E02
EN
1
= (8.85 × 10–12)(48)2 J/m3 = 1.0 × 10–8 J/m3
2
Illustration 6.
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A plane light wave in the visible region is moving along the Z-direction. The frequency of the wave is
0.5 × 1015 Hz and the electric field at any point is varying sinusoidally with time with an amplitude of 1 V/m.
Calculate the energy densities of the electric and magnetic fields.
Solution.
Total average energy density (due to both electric and magnetic fields)
A

1 1
= 0E02 = (8.85 × 10–12)(1)2 = 4.42 × 10–12 J/m3
2 2
Since the energy is shared equally by the electric and magnetic fields,
average energy density of the electric field
1
= (4.42 × 10–12 J/m3) = 2.21 × 10–12 J/m3
2
average energy density of the magnetic field
1 –12
= (4.42 × 10–12J/m3) = 2.21 × 10 J/m3
2

Illustration 7.
Radio receiver recives a message at 300m band, If the available inductance is 1 mH, then calculate required
capacitance.
Solution
Radio recives EM waves ( velocity of EM waves c = 3 x 108 m/s)
3  108
c = f  f= = 106 Hz
300
1 6 1
Now f = = 1 × 10 C = = 25 pF
2 LC 4  103  1012
2

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6. Various parts of electromagnetic spectrum
S. Radiation Discover How Wavelength Frequency Energy
No. produced Range range Properties Application
range

-Rays 10–14 m to 22 7
1. Henry Due to 3 × 10 Hz to 10 eV (a) High (a)Gives
Becquerel decay 10–10 m 3 × 1018 -104 eV penetrating power Information on
and of (b) Uncharged nuclear
radioactive structure
Madame (c) Low ionising
nuclei. (b) Medical
power
treatment etc.
2. X-Ray Roentgen Due to 6 × 10–12 m 5 × 1019 Hz to 2.4 × 10 eV
5
(a)Low Penetrating (a) Medical
collisions to 3 × 1017 Hz to power diagnosis and
of high 10–9 m 1.2 × 103eV (b) other treatment
energy properties
(b) Study of
electrons similar to -rays
with crystal
except wavelength structure
heavy
targets (c) Industrial
radiography
–10 17 3
3. Ultraviolet Ritter By ionised 6× 10 m to 5 × 10 Hz to 2 × 10 eV (a) All properties (a) To detect
gases, of light
Rays
sun lamp
spark etc.
3.8× 10 m
EN
–7
7 × 10 Hz14
to
3eV (b) Photoelectric
effect
adulteration,
writing and
signature
(b) Sterilization
of water due to
its destructive
action on
bacteria
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4. Visible light Newton Outer orbit 3.8 × 10–7m 8 × 1014 Hz 3.2 eV (a) Sensitive to (a)To see
electron to to human eye objects
to
transitions 7.8 × 10–7m 14
1.6 eV (b) To study
4 × 10 Hz
in atoms, molecular
gas structure
discharge
A

tube,
–7
Subparts of incandesce 3.9 × 10 m 7.69 × 1014Hz
visible nt solids to to
–7
spectrum and liquids. 4.55 × 10 m 6.59 × 1014Hz
–7
(a) Violet 4.55 × 10 m 6.59 × 1014Hz
(b) Blue to to
(c) Green 4.92 × 10–7m 6.10 × 1014Hz

(d) Yellow 4.92 × 10–7m 6.10 × 1014Hz

to to
(e) Orange
5.77 × 10–7m 5.20 × 1014Hz
(f) Red
5.77 × 10–7m 5.20×1014Hz
to to
5.97 × 10–7m 5.03 × 1014Hz
5.97 × 10–7m 5.03 × 1014Hz
to to
–7
6.22 × 10 m 4.82 × 1014Hz
6.22 × 10–7m 4.82 × 1014Hz
to to
–7
7.80 × 10 m 3.84 × 1014Hz

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S. Radiation Discover How Wavelength Frequency Energy
No. produced Range range Properties Application
range
5. Infra-Red William (a) 7.8 × 10–7m 14
4 × 10 Hz 1.6eV to (a) Thermal effect (a) Used in
waves Herschell Rearrange to 10–3m to 10–3eV (b) All properties industry,
ment similiar to those of medicine and
3 × 1011Hz
of outer light except  astronomy
orbital (b) Used for
electrons in fog orhaze
atoms (c) Elucidating
and photography
molecules. molecular
(b) Change structure
E of
molecular
vibrational
and
rotational
energies
(c) By
bodies at
high temp.
6. Microwaves Hertz Special 10–3 to 0.3m 3 × 1011 Hz 10–3ev to (a) Phenomena of (a) Radar
electronic to 10–5eV reflection, and tele-
devices refraction and communication,
EN 109 Hz
such as diffraction details of
molecular
klystron
(b) Analysis of
tube
fine
structure
7. Radio Marconi Oscillating 0.3 to 109Hz to 10–3eV (a) Exhibit waves (a) Radio
waves circuits few kms. few Hz to 0 like properties communication
more than particle
like properties.
LL
Subparts of
Radio-
spectrum
(A) Super High 0.01m 3 × 1010Hz to Radar, Radio and satelite
Frequency to 0.1m 3 × 109Hz communication (Microwaves),
(a) SHF Radar and Television
broadcast short distance
A

Ultra High 0.1 m to 1m 3 × 109Hz to

Frequency communication.
3 × 108Hz Television communication.
(b) UHF 1 m to 10 m
Very High 8
3 × 10 Hz to
Frequency
3 × 107Hz
(c) VHF
(B) High 10 m to 3 × 107Hz to Medium distance communication
Frequency 100 m 3 × 106Hz Telephone communication.
(HF) Marine and navigation use, long
range communication. Long
Medium 100 m to 3 × 106Hz to distance communication.
Frequency 1000 m 3 × 105Hz
(MF)
Low 1000 m to 3 × 105Hz to
Frequency 10000 m 3 × 104Hz
(LF)
Very Low 10000 m to 3 × 104Hz to
Frequency 30000 m 104Hz
(VLF)

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