CHAPTER SIX: ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES 6.0 Introduction tromagnetic waves also called EM is the type of waves that is produced due to the vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic. Generally, this wave travels with the speed of light approximately ¢ = 3 00,000km/s (or 3x10%m/s) and does not depend on a material medium for its propagation. Examples are radio waves, X rays, gamma rays, microwaves, etc. Electromagnetic waves are different in their wavelength and frequency respectively on compared with the mechanical waves. Table 6.1: Difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves Parameters Mechanical waves Electromagnetic waves Medium Cannot travel without a medium | Can tavel without a medium Factors affecting | Elasticity and inertia ‘magnetic and electric fields Speed Travels with the speed of the | Travels at the speed of light medium Types Transverse and Longitudinal | Only Transverse Examples Sound waves, surface waves Microwaves, Radio waves, et. Electromagnetic waves are produced when free electric charges or loss electrons are in motion so that they move to lower energy states. A typical example of EM is Radio waves, which have frequencies of about IMHz for amplitude modulation (AM) and 100MHz. for frequency modulation (FM), are produced by macroscopic electric currents oscillating in radio antennas. Learning Objectives At the end of this chapter, the student should be able to: 1. explain the concept of electromagnetic waves, and types of electromagnetic radiation; 2. differentiate between mechanical and electromagnetic waves; 3. explain the electromagnetic spectrum or radiation; 4, know the Properties of electromagnetic radiation; 5. draw a simple electromagnetic spectrum showing the electric and magnet field; 6. state the applications of electromagnetic waves; 7. understand the various components of electromagnetic spectrum according to increasing frequency or decreasing wavelength; and 7. calculate the frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic waves. 6.1 Electromagnetic spectrum tromagnetic spectrum, the entire distribution of electromagnetic radiation according to frequency or wavelength. Although all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, they do so at a wide range of frequencies, wavelengths, and photon energies. The electromagnetic spectrum comprises the span of all electromagnetic radiation and consists of many sub-ranges, commonly referred to as portions, such as visible light or ultraviolet radiation. The 58various portions bear different names based on differences in behaviour in the emission, transmission, and absorption of the corresponding waves and also based on their different practical applications. There are no precise accepted boundaries between any of these contiguous portions, so the ranges tend to overlap. The entire electromagnetic spectrum, from the lowest to the highest frequency (longest to shortest wavelength), includes all radio waves (e.g., commercial radio and television, microwaves, radar), infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Nearly all frequencies and wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation can be used for spectroscopy. The electric and magnetic field vectors in an electromagnetic wave. The fields are in phase, perpendicular to each other, and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave. _ Hlectrcfield Direction of propagation Magnetic field Figure 6.1: The electromagnetic spectrum showing the direction and propagation of waves The various types of electromagnetic waves (for example, radio waves and gamma rays) differ only in wavelength and frequency, which are related according to the equation Vane 61 Figure 6.2 shows the electromagnetic spectrum and the names usually associated with the various frequency and wavelength ranges. These ranges are often not well defined and sometimes overlap. For example, electromagnetic waves that have wavelengths of approximately are usually called rays, but if the electromagnetic waves originate from nuclear radioactivity, they are called gamma rays. ‘The human eye is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation that has wavelengths between 380nm and 760nm (400-790 terahertz) which is the range called visible light. The shortest wavelengths of visible light are those of violet light and the longest wavelengths are those of red light. Electromagnetic waves that have wavelengths shorter than but longer than (the longest wavelength in the X-rays region) are called ultraviolet rays. Infrared waves have wavelengths longer than 780nm. The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Radiation simply means the energy that travels and spread out as it goes. 596.1.1 Types of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) a. Gamma b. X-rays c. Ultraviolet d._ Visible light e. Infra-red f. Microwave g. Radio waves 6.1.2 Common properties of EMR a. It is propagated by varying electric and magnetic field oscillating at right angle to each other. b. It travels with a constant velocity of 3x10*m/s. ¢. Ittravels in a straight Line in a vacuum, 4. Itmay be polarized. ¢. Itean show interference and diffraction, 6.1.3 Arrangement of EMR in the order of increasing frequency Radio waves, Microwave, Infra-red, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma RMIVUXG——> + Increasing Frequency (v) 1 110g a 010 ako aaa? anys Xrays | UV IR | Microwave [Fw] [An Long radio waves Radio waves| p mt t 1 1 wth 1" 10°F 10-8 Increasing Wavelength () = Visible spectrum a G < aya] og R Figure 6.2: Shows the electromagnetic radiations in the order of increasing frequency and increasing wavelength. Table 6.2 shows that the electromagnetic radiations increase in their wavelength with decrease in frequency. The highest wavelengths in the spectrum of radiations are obtained in radio waves while the lowest wavelength is in gamma ray. The visible spectrum is arranged in the center from lesser to upper wavelengths within the order of left to right. Therefore, the left visible spectrum is indicated in violet color, whereas the right visible spectrum is indicated with red color Figure 6. 2. 60‘Table 6. 2: List of electromagnetic radiation showing wavelength and frequenc S/No | Radiation types | Wavelength (cm) Frequency (Hz) 1 Gamma, <107 > 3x10" 2 X-rays 107 to 10” 3x10" to 3x10" 3 Ultraviolet 4x10" to 107 7.5x10" to 3x107 4 ___| Visible light 7x10° to 4x10" 43x 1010 7.5 x10" 3 Tnfra-red 0,02 t0 710° 3x10" to 43x10 6 Microwave 10 to 0.01 3x10" to 3 x 107 7 Radio waves > 10 < 3x10" 6.2 Applications of components of the electromagnetic spectrum 6.2.1 Applications of electromagnetic waves T-should be noted that every part of the electromagnetic spectrum has multiple applications in our everyday lives, and many of those applications involved the use of new materials or devices. Radio waves Radio waves spectrum region overlaps with the microwave region it starts at 10cm. the waves are used in telecommunication in the transmission of information at near and far distances. There make use of frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) in the transmission of signals. ‘They are used in mobile phones; they are also used to broadcast television signals. Radio waves are also used for radar, Radar is extremely important in military operations and can also be used in speed cameras and speed guns. Microwaves Microwaves exist in the range of micrometer from Imm 10cm. This wave generates heat and can be used to heat and cook your food. Since microwaves aren't that different from radio waves. They are also used for communications in the extension of TV signals to larger distances. They are used in special devices like Radar and microwave ovens. Infrared waves Infrared waves are what comes out of remote controls. Infrared is also a type of wave that transmits a lot of heat. When you put your hand near to, but not touching something and it feels warm, it is because of infrared waves coming out of it. All hot objects produce infrared. In fact, you are producing infrared waves right now. Infrared waves can also be used to create heat-sensitive and night-vision cameras. Ultraviolet waves Ultraviolet waves lie between 10nm-400nm, they are obtained from the sun and often time they caused skin cancer. These waves are powerful enough to damage your skin. They are also used to sterilize and disinfect medical instruments, kill bacteria and viruses. Devices light up under UV like fluorescent materials; highlighter pens are brighter and useful to check if money is real or counterfeit. X-Rays X-rays are electromagnetic waves position at the left side of the UV spectrum between the wavelengths of 0.01Inm to 10nm. They are used for scanning the structures of image bone. They are used to study the internal structure of metals called crystallographic. 61Gamma rays ‘These are clectromagn power is about 1000 times greater than that of X-rays. They are used in medical field to satirize waves whose wavelength are of the order of 10cm. Their penetrating medical supplies, like surgical equipment, drugs, foo bandage etc, They are also use to treat cancer and tumors. EXERCISES 6 6.1. Arrange the following types of EMR in the order of increasing frequency: Infrared, x-rays, ultraviolet. Visible, gamma ray. Solution Infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma 6.2. A unity FM station is assigned a frequency of 3000kHz. Calculate the wavelength of its radio waves. Solution C= 3x10%m/s and f= 3000KHz = 3x10°Hz c_ 3x08 =F xaos > 100m 6.3, Calculate the frequency of an EM wave with a wavelength of 400nm, Solution C= 3x10%m/s and A = 400nm = 400x10%m p= £= 80" 7 sx10!Hz 2 Foo 6.4, Give an example of the use of each of the following electromagnetic radiations; Gamma ray, X-rays, ultraviolet, and Visible. Solution ‘* Gamma ray is used for killing bacteria in marshmallow and to sterilize medical equipment. X-ray is used to image born structure. Ultraviolet light promotes chemical reactions and affect photograph film to produce photoelectric emission. ‘Visible light is used by human to observe the world. Summary of Chapter 6 1. The relation between the frequency of electromagnetic radiation and the wavelength is given by the equation: ¢ = 2 2. Ultraviolet (UV) light is used for sterilization; the sets of surgical operations rooms are sterilized using UV. 3. X-rays are used for studying the internal structure of bones. They are also used for crystal studies, discover fracture sites, evaluating metal (mineral) raw materials in the industry to highlight mistakes, pores, and cracks in these minerals, 4, Gamma rays are utilized in medicine for the detection and treatment of swellings (tumors). 625. Photographic cameras, television cameras, and light displays all employ visible (seen) light (data show). 6. Infrared (IR) beams are utilized in night vision frameworks, utilized by present-day military powers, utilized in inaccessible detecting instruments to capturing the earth’s surface utilizing satellites, and they are utilized in cooking nourishment since these beams have warm impact properties, they are utilized in making farther sets to control and work electric sets (TV, DVD, air conditioner, ete.) 7. Inmedicine, UV radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays are employed. In photography, infrared rays and visible light are employed. Remote controls operate electrical equipment without the use of media because they employ infrared rays (electromagnetic waves) that may travel through space. SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTER 6 6.1, Which of the following has a minimum wavelength? A.Gammarays _B. Blue light C. Infrared rays, microwave 6.2. Which among the following has the maximum penetrating power? A, Radio waves B. Microwaves C. Ultraviolet radiation D. Gamma rays 6.3. Which of the following is called heat radiation? A. X-rays B. Gamma rays C. Microwave D. Infrared radiation 6.4, Which of the following are not electromagnetic waves? A.Cosmie rays B,Gammarays—_C. Brays D. X rays 6.5. 10cm is the wavelength corresponding to the spectrum of A. Infrared rays. Ultraviolet rays C. Microwaves D. X-rays 6.6. The structure of solids is investigated by using A. Microwaves B.Gammarays —C. X-rays D. Infrared rays 6.7. Which radiations are used in the treatment of muscle ache? A. Infrared B. Ultraviolet C. Microwave D. X-rays 6.8. The ultra-high frequency band of radio waves in the electromagnetic wave is used as in A. Television B. Cellular phone communication C. Commercial FM radio D. Both A and B 6.9. The waves used by artificial satellites for communication is A. Microwaves B. Infrared waves C. Radio waves D. X rays 6.10, Light travelling from vacuum enters water. Which of the following characteristics of light, will remain unchanged? A. Velocity B. Amplitude Wavelength D. frequency 6.11. If the wavelength of a wave travelling with velocity of 200m/s is 40cm, find the period of the wave, A. 0.18 B. 0.0018 C. 0.0038 D. 0.0025 636.12, The time taken to complete a wave is term as A. span B. period C. life D. duration 6.13. Which of the following types of waves cannot travel through a vacuum? A. sound B. light C. infra-red D. X-ray a