Science 10 reviewer
 Electromagnetic waves are produced by a
charge that changes its direction or speed.
 An electromagnetic wave contains an
electric field and a magnetic field.
 Electromagnetic waves are transverse
waves.
 They travel at the speed of light, denoted as
c, which is 3 times 10 raised to the 8th
power meters per second.
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
 Produced by accelerated or oscillating
charge.
 Do not require any material or medium for
propagation.
 Travel in free space at the speed of 3 times
10 raised to the 8th power meters per
second.
Components of Electromagnetic Waves
 Made up of an electric field and a magnetic
field positioned at right angles to each other
and to the direction of motion of the wave.
 Electric and magnetic fields are the regions
through which the push or pull of charged
particles and magnets is exerted.
 Changing magnetic field produces an
electric field and changing electric field
produces a magnetic field.
Production and Transmission of
Electromagnetic Waves
 Electromagnetic waves are produced by a
charge that changes its direction or speed.
 Charged particles such as electrons must
move to create the vibrating electric and
magnetic fields.
 Electromagnetic waves can travel in a
vacuum where there is no matter.
 Light can be transmitted with a medium as
through the atmosphere or without a
medium as through space.
 Electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum at
the speed of 3 times 10 raised to the 8th
power meters per second.
History of Electromagnetic Wave Theory
 Ancient measures were taken to understand
atmospheric electricity, specifically
lightning.
 James Clerk Maxwell developed a scientific
theory to better explain electromagnetic
waves.
 Heinrich Hertz applied Maxwell's theories to
the production and reception of radio waves.
 Michael Faraday contributed to the
electromagnetic theory of light.
 Andre Marie Ampere made the
revolutionary discovery that a wire carrying
electric current can attract or repel another
wire next to it that's also carrying electric
current.
 Hans Christian Orsted discovered that the
electric current in a wire can deflect a
magnetized compass needle.
 Experts compiled all the discoveries of these
scientists to form the basic principles of the
electromagnetic wave theory.
Electromagnetic waves
 Comprise of an electric field and a magnetic
field at right angles to each other and to the
direction of the motion of the wave.
 Travel at the same speed in a vacuum, which
is 3 times 10 raised to the 8th power meters
per second.
 Are often arranged in the order of
wavelength and frequency in what is known
as the electromagnetic spectrum.
 Are described by their physical wave
features: amplitude, wavelength, and
frequency.
Characteristics of electromagnetic waves
 Amplitude is the maximum field strength of
the electric and magnetic fields.
 Frequency describes how many waves per
second a wavelength produces.
 Wavelength measures the length of an
individual wave in meters.
Electromagnetic spectrum

 Waves are often arranged in the order of

wavelength and frequency in what is known
as the electromagnetic spectrum.
 Waves with the longest wavelengths have
the lowest frequencies while waves with the
shortest wavelengths have the highest
frequencies.
 The electromagnetic spectrum includes:
o Radio waves
o Microwaves
o Infrared
o Visible light
o Ultraviolet rays
o X-rays
o Gamma rays
 Different types of electromagnetic waves are
defined by the amount of energy carried by
their photons.
 Radio waves own photons with the lowest
energies while gamma rays carry photons of
high energies.
 Gamma rays, x-rays, and high ultraviolet
rays are classified as ionizing radiation
while radio waves, microwaves, infrared
rays, and visible light are classified as non-
ionizing radiation.

Wave speed, frequency, and wavelength

 The wave speed, frequency, and wavelength

are related by the equation: v equals lambda
f.
 The unit for frequency is hertz, which is also
cycles per second.
 All electromagnetic waves can travel
through a medium, but they can also travel
in a vacuum or empty space.