ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

• Displacement current(Id)
The current which is obtained due to the changing electric field is known as
displacement current. It acts as a source of magnetic field in exactly the same way as
conduction current does.
𝜎
• The electric field between the plates of the capacitor is given by 𝐸 = 𝜀
0
Where σ, is the surface charge density of the plates of the capacitor and q is the
charge on each plates of the capacitor.
𝑞
Electric flux ∅𝐸 = 𝐸𝐴 =
𝜀0
𝑑∅𝐸 1 𝑑𝑞 𝐼𝑑
=𝜀 =𝜀
𝑑𝑡 0 𝑑𝑡 0
𝑑∅𝐸
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝐼𝑑 = 𝜀0 ( ) , 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑑𝑡
• Maxwell’s Equations

According to Maxwell, Ampere’s law can be written as,

𝑑∅𝐸
∮ 𝐵. 𝑑𝑙 = 𝜇0 (𝐼𝑐 + 𝜀0 )
𝑑𝑡

𝑑∅𝐸
∮ 𝐵. 𝑑𝑙 = (𝜇0 𝐼𝑐 + 𝜇0 𝜀0
)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑∅𝐸
∮ 𝐵. 𝑑𝑙 = (𝜇0 𝐼𝑐 + 𝜀0 )
𝑑𝑡
This equation states that not only current but also the changing electric field
produce changing magnetic field. This equation is known as Ampere –Maxwell
circuital law.
𝑄
∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑆 =
𝑆 𝜀0
This equation states that the total electric flux through a closed surface is equal
1
to 𝜀 times the charge enclosed by the surface. It gives an idea that isolated charge
0
can exist and electric filed lines do not form continuous closed path.

∮ 𝐵. 𝑑𝑆 = 0
𝑆
This equation states that the magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero.
Ie, the net magnetic flux entering into a closed surface is equal to the net magnetic
flux leaving it. Or it says that magnetic monopoles don’t exist.
 𝑑∅𝐵
∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑙 = −
𝑑𝑡
This equation correlates magnetic flux and electric field. It says that the induced
emf produced in the closed circuit is equal to negative of the rate of change of
magnetic flux through the circuit.
• Electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves are those waves in which electric and magnetic field
vectors changes sinusoidally and are perpendicular to each other as well as at right
angles to the direction of propagation of the wave.

Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

1. Electromagnetic waves do not require any material medium for their propagation.
1
2. Speed of electromagnetic waves in free space or vacuum is given by, 𝑐 =
√ 𝜇0 𝜀 0
𝑚
which is equal to 3 × 108 𝑠 .
1 𝐸
3. Speed of the electromagnetic wave in a medium is given by 𝑐 = = 𝐵0
√𝜇𝜀 0
4. It is produced by accelerated or oscillating charged particles.
5. It is a non- mechanical wave, it doesn’t need any material medium for its
propagation.
6. It carries energy and momentum.
7. It is not deflected by electric and magnetic fields.
8. The oscillating electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other.
9. Electromagnetic waves can be reflected, refracted and diffracted.
10. It can be polarized and shows the phenomenon of interference.
Electromagnetic spectrum
The orderly distribution of electromagnetic radiations according to their wavelength or
frequency is called electromagnetic spectrum.

• Radio waves- These are em waves of frequency range 500 kHz to 1000 MHz
and wavelength ranges from 0.3m to 600m. It is produced by oscillating electric
circuits having inductor and capacitor or accelerating charged particles in a
conducting wire.
Used in radio and telecommunication systems like FM radio broadcasting, AM
broadcasting etc.
• Microwaves- This type of em wave has a frequency range of 109 Hz to 1012GHz
and wavelength ranges from 0.1m to1mm.Produced in special vacuum tubes,
Gunn diodes, Magnetron etc. Used in radar systems for air craft navigation,
cooking purposes , atomic and molecular research ,etc.
• Infrared waves- It is also known as heat waves, since it is produced by hot
bodies and molecules during their atomic vibration. It ranges from 10 11Hz to 1014
Hz wavelength ranges from 1mm to 700nm.. Used to produce dehydrated fruits,
in green houses to keep plant warm, in solar water heater and cookers, used in
photography etc.
• Visible light- It is the narrow region of electromagnetic spectrum, which is
detected by human eye. It’s frequency ranges from 4 ×10 14 Hz to 7 ×10 14Hz
and wavelength ranges from 400nm to 780nm. It is produced during the
transition of electron from higher orbit to lower orbit of an atom. Used in
photography, astronomy, source of energy for human life.
• Ultraviolet light- It is produced by stars, welding arc, high voltage gas discharge
tube etc. It’s frequency ranges from 10 14 Hz to 10 17 Hz and wavelength ranges
from 380mm to 0.6mm. The UV rays coming from the sun are mostly absorbed
by ozone layer in the earth’s atmosphere. Used in the study of molecular
structure, in surgical instruments to destroy bacteria, preservation of food, used
in burglar alarms etc.
• X- Rays- It was discovered by Roentgen. It’s frequency ranges from 1018 Hz to
10 20Hz and wavelength ranges from 10nm to 10-4 nm.
These are produced when high energy electrons are stopped suddenly on a metal
of high atomic number. It has high penetrating power. Used in detection of
fractures, foreign bodies in human body, Used in the investigation of structure of
crystals arrangement of molecules in complex substances used in radiotherapy to
cure untraceable skin diseases etc.
• γ-Rays- It has a frequency range of 10 18 Hz to10 22 Hz and wavelength ranges
from 10 -10m to 10 -14 m. These are highly energetic and are produced by the
nucleus of the radioactive substances. Used in the treatment of cancer and
 tumors, preservation of food stuffs, used to produce nuclear reactions etc.

Hertz Experiment

It consists of two large square metal plates 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 made up of

copper placed about 60 cm apart. They are connected to two highly polished metallic
spheres A and B through thick copper wires. A high potential difference of several
thousand volts is applied across the spheres using induction coil. Due to high potential
difference between A and B , the air between the spheres gets ionized and provides a
path for discharge of plates. Due to it spark is produced in between A and B and
electromagnetic waves of high frequency are radiated. The frequency of the oscillation of
1
is given by 𝑓 = 2𝜋√𝐿𝐶
The em waves so produced can be detected by using a detector in the shape of an
unclosed metallic ring acts as a receiver.
Energy density of Electromagnetic waves
Energy density of electromagnetic wave is defined as the energy per unit volume of
the space in which it travels. Total energy density of electric and magnetic fields in space
1 𝐵2
is given by 𝑈 = 𝑈𝐸 + 𝑈𝐵 = 2 𝜀0 𝐸 2 + 2𝜇
0
Since in electromagnetic wave, both electric and magnetic fields are time varying, the
1 2
𝐵𝑟𝑚𝑠
2
average energy density of em wave is obtained by 𝑈𝑎𝑣 = 2 𝜀0 𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 2𝜇0
𝐸0 𝐵0
𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠 = and 𝐵𝑟𝑚𝑠 = , where 𝐸0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵0 are the peak or maximum values of electric and
√2 √2
1 𝐵2
magnetic fields respectively. Therefore, 𝑈𝑎𝑣 = 4 𝜀0 𝐸02 + 4𝜇0
0
𝐸0 1 𝐸02 1
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐵0 = Therefore 𝑈𝑎𝑣 = 4 𝜀0 𝐸02 + 4𝜇 2
and 𝐶 =
𝑐 0𝐶 √ 𝜇0 𝜀 0
1 1 1
𝑈𝑎𝑣 = 4 𝜀0 𝐸02 + 4 𝜀0 𝐸02 = 2 𝜀0 𝐸02 =𝜀0 𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠
2

2
𝐵𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝐼𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑈𝑎𝑣 = 𝜇0
𝐶 2𝜀 2 𝐵02
1 1 0 𝐵0
𝑈𝐸 = 4 𝜀0 𝐸02 =4 𝜀0 (𝐶𝐵0 )2 = = = 𝑈𝐵 𝒊𝒆; 𝑼𝑩 = 𝑼𝑬
4 4𝜇0

Intensity of Electromagnetic Wave

Intensity of electromagnetic wave is defined as the energy crossing per unit area per
unit time perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 ×𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Consider an electromagnetic wave travelling along X-axis. The distance travelled by

the wave in dt is given by, S= c dt, where c is the speed of the electromagnetic wave.
Consider an imagninary cylinder of length cdt and area of cross section A.
𝑈 = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 × 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟
1
U=𝑈𝑎𝑣 × (𝑐𝑑𝑡)𝐴 = 𝜀 𝐸2 × (𝑐𝑑𝑡)𝐴
2 0 0
𝑈 1
Intensity of the electromagnetic wave, 𝐼 = 𝐴×𝑑𝑡 = 2 𝜀0 𝐶𝐸02
Thus, the intensioty of e.m wave is directly proportional to the square of the amplitude of
2
electric field. 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐸0 = √2 𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼 = 𝜀0 𝐶𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠
Momentum and pressure of Electromagnetic waves

𝑈
The momentum carried by an electromagnetic wave is given by, P= 𝑐
If this electromagneticwave falls on a surface and is completely absorbed by the
surface, then no wave is reflected from the surface. Hence the change in momentum of
the electromagnetic wave after falling on the surface, dp=p.
If dt be the time during which the wave is complteley absorbed, then the force exerted
𝑑𝑃 𝑃
on the surface is given by 𝐹 = = 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡
The force exerted per unit area of the surface is known as radiation pressure(P)
𝐹 1 𝑑𝑃 1 𝑈 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
𝑃= = = 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, = 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝐼)
𝐴 𝐴 𝑑𝑡 𝐴 𝑐×𝑑𝑡 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎×𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐼
𝑃= =
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝐴