PROPERTIES OF EM WAVES

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Frequency (f) –
 is an electrical and magnetic disturbance
number of complete cycle per second unit is
that moves through space at a speed of
Hertz (Hz) or 1/s
light (3 x 108m/s)

2. Speed of Light (C) –

constant 3 x 10^8m/s

3. Wavelength (λ) –
distance between crest to crest or trough to
trough

THINGS TO REMEMBER
 Electromagnetic waves differ from each
other in their frequency and wavelength
 Electromagnetic waves are similar in
terms of composition and speed
 SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. What is the wavelength of a wave with a
frequency of 2.8 x 108Hz or 1/s?
Given:
λ=?
C = 3 x 108 m/s
f = 2.8 x 108 Hz or 1/s

2. Determine the frequency of a wave whose

wavelength is 2.3 x 10-2 m.
EM WAVES EQUATION: Given:
λ = 2.3 x 10-2 m
λ=C C = 3 x 108 m/s
f=?
f
Where:
λ = wavelength = m
C = speed of light = 3 x 108 m/s
f = frequency= Hz or 1/s
3. A wave with a frequency of 5.4 x 107 Hz or
1/s is traveling in a speed of light. What is its
wavelength?
Given:
λ=?
C = 3 x 108 m/s
f = 5.4 x 107 Hz or 1/s
4. What is the wavelength of a wave with a
frequency of 5. What is the wavelength of a wave with a
9.7 x 10-3 Hz or 1/s? frequency of 1.5 x 1012 Hz or 1/s?
Given: Given:
λ=? λ=?
C = 3 x 108 m/s C = 3 x 108 m/s
f = 9.7 x 10-3Hz or 1/s f = 1.5 x 1012Hz or 1/s

5. What is the wavelength of a wave with a

frequency of 1.5 x 1012 Hz or 1/s?
Given:
λ=?
C = 3 x 108 m/s
f = 1.5 x 1012Hz or 1/s

7. Determine the frequency of a wave whose

wavelength is 2 x 109 m.
Given:
λ = 2 x 109 m
C = 3 x 108 m/s
f=?