Electromagnetic Waves

Topic Content:

Mechanical waves are waves that require a material medium for its propagation. Examples are water waves, sound waves, and waves in a rope or string. 

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that do not require a material medium for propagation. It also means that they are sinusoidal and measured by their amplitude (height) and wavelength.

They are a combination of electric and magnetic field vibrations that exist freely in space. The electric field and magnetic field of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular (at right angles) to each other.

Mechanical and electromagnetic waves differ in their velocity, while electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light; mechanical waves travel at speeds much less than that of light.

The wavelength of electromagnetic waves ranges between 10³ m for radio waves and 10^-12 m for gamma rays. The range of wavelength within this group is called electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 10⁴ to 10²⁴ Hz. This range of