XII/PHY/ CH- 8

PHYSICS

CLASS XII 2020 - 21

STUDY MATERIAL : REFERENCE : NCERT PHYSICS ( PG: 270-287 )

CHAPTER 8. Electromagnetic Waves

Maxwell’s equations:

The mathematical expressions for the Gauss’s law in electrostatics and magneto statics, the Faraday’s laws of
electromagnetism and the Ampere - Maxwell law of circuital current, written in suitable form are called Maxwell’s
equations.

1] Gauss’s law of electrostatics: It states that the total electric flux through a Gaussian surface is equal to the
charge enclosed by it.

It means ∮ Ԑ0 . = ∮ . =q

Here D = Ԑ0 E is called displacement vector.

Characteristics:

(i) It is time independent steady state equation.

(ii) The charges acts as source and sink for the electric field lines.

Gauss’s law in magneto statics: It states that the total magnetic flux through a Gaussian surface is zero.

∮ . =0

Characteristics:

(i) It expresses the well known observation that isolated magnetic pole does not exist.

(ii) It is time independent equation.

(iii) There is no source or sink of the magnetic field lines.

Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction: It states that the induced emf is equal to the rate of change of
magnetic flux.

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That is E = -df/dt

But E= ∮ . and f = ∮ .

Hence the above relation may be written as

∮ . =∫ ds

Characteristics:

(i) It is a time dependent equation.

(ii) It relates the space integration of E with the time variation of B.

(iii) It shows that the variation of magnetic field generates electric field.

Ampere - Maxwell law:

It states that line integral of the magnetic field around any closed path is equal to μ0 times (sum of the conduction
current and the displacement current through that path) I.e.,

∮ . = μo [ I c + I d ]

Characteristics:

(i) It is a time dependent equation.

(ii) It relates the space integration of B with the time variation of E.

(iii) If the conduction current Ic is zero, then the varying electric field between the plates of the capacitor generates
magnetic field

I.e., the varying electric field, between the plates of the capacitor, generates magnetic field.

For the EM waves: E = cB.

Electromagnetic waves :

The EM waves are produced by the accelerated charge. The electric and magnetic fields produced by the
accelerated charge change with time. Hence, it radiates electromagnetic waves. For example, the electron jumping
from its outer to the inner orbits radiates EM waves. Similarly, the electrical oscillations in the LC circuit can
produce EM waves. Even an electric sparking generates EM waves.

Characteristics of EM waves:

(i) EM waves are propagated as electric and magnetic fields oscillating in mutually perpendicular directions.

(ii) In EM waves electric field is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

(iii) EM waves travel in vacuum along a straight line with velocity 2. 997924591Of x 108 ms-1 which is often
assumed as 3 x 108 ms-1.

(iv) EM waves are not affected by electric and magnetic fields.

(iv) The relation, between the electric and magnetic field components is E = cB.

( v) In principle, the electromagnetic waves can be of wave length λ and f are related as c = ƒλ

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 (vi) EM waves carry both momentum and energy.

(vii) EM waves exert pressure which is called radiation pressure.

(viii) EM waves carry energy from one place to another.

Source of electromagnetic waves

It is an important result of Maxwell’s theory that accelerated charges radiate electromagnetic waves. An oscillating
charge is an example of accelerating charge. This produces an oscillating electric field in space, which produces an
oscillating magnetic field, which in turn, is a source of oscillating electric field, and so on. The oscillating electric
and magnetic fields thus regenerate each other, In short EM waves are produced by
(i) accelerated charges (ii) oscillating dipole (iii) Charge in circular motion

Nature of EM waves

The EM waves are transverse in nature with the electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to the direction of
propagation.
If the magnetic field By is along the y-axis and electric field Ex is along the x-axis, then the direction of propagation
of EM waves is along the Z axis.

We can write Ex and By as follows:

Ex= E0 sin (kz–ωt ) and By= B0 sin (kz–wt )
Here k is related to the wave length λ
w is the angular frequency and K is the magnitude of the wave vector (or propagation vector) k and its direction
describes the direction of propagation of the wave.

Important points related to EM waves

ÿ The electric and magetic field components assoxciated with EM waves are Ex,Ey,Ez,Bx,By and Bz.
ÿ If the direction of propagation is along Z axis, Ez = 0 and Bz = 0, because EM wave is a transverse wave.
ÿ Exπ 0 and Bx = 0; Ey = 0 and By π 0; because electric field is along X axis and magnetic field is along Y axis.
ÿ The expression for the velocity of EM waves in terms of electreic and magnetic field = c = Ex / By.
ÿ The expression for the velocity of EM waves in terms of μ0 and Ԑ0 = c = 1 /√ μ 0Ԑ 0

Electromagnetic spectrum

Electromagnetic waves include visible light waves, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet and
infrared waves. The classification of em waves according to frequency is the electromagnetic spectrum .

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EM waves and Their uses

Radio waves
ÿ Radio waves are produced by the accelerated motion of charges in conducting wires. They are used
ÿ in radio and television communication systems.
ÿ In Cellular phones to transmit voice communication in the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) band.

Microwaves
Microwaves (short-wavelength radio waves), with frequencies in the gigahertz (GHz) range, are produced by special
vacuum tubes (called klystrons, magnetrons and Gunn diodes). Due to their short wavelengths,
ÿ They are suitable for the radar systems used in aircraft navigation.
ÿ Used in Microwave ovens .

Infrared waves
Infrared waves are produced by hot bodies and molecules. This band lies adjacent to the low-frequency or long-wave
length end of the visible spectrum. Infrared waves are sometimes referred to as heat waves
Infrared lamps are used in
ÿ Physical therapy.
ÿ Maintaining the earth’s warmth or average temperature through the greenhouse effect.
ÿ Infrared detectors are used in Earth satellites, both for military purposes and to observe growth of crops.
ÿ Electronic devices (for example semiconductor light emitting diodes) also emit infrared and are widely
used in the remote switches of household electronic systems such as TV sets, video recorders and hi-fi systems.

Visible rays
It is the most familiar form of electromagnetic waves. It is the part of spectrum that is detected by the human eye.
Visible light emitted or reflected from objects around us provides us information about the world. Our eyes are
sensitive to this range of wavelengths.

Ultraviolet rays
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is produced by special lamps and very hot bodies. The sun is an important source of
ultraviolet light.
Exposure to UV radiation induces the production of more melanin, causing tanning of the skin. UV radiation is
absorbed by ordinary glass. Hence, one cannot get t tanned or sunburn through glass windows.

X-rays
Beyond the UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum lies the X-ray region.. One common way to generate X-rays is
to bombard a metal target by high energy electrons.
X-rays are used as a diagnostic tool in medicine and as a treatment for certain forms of cancer. Because X-rays
damage or destroy living tissues and organisms.

Gamma rays
They lie in the upper frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum and have wavelengths of from about 10–10m
to less than 10–14m. This high frequency radiation is produced in nuclear reactions and also emitted by radioactive
nuclei.
They are used in medicine to destroy cancer cells.

BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS

Q.1. Name the types of EM radiations which (I) are used in destroying cancer cells, (ii) cause tanning of the skin and
(iii) maintain the earth’s warmth. Write briefly a method of production any one of these .

Ans: (i) γ rays ( or X - rays)

(ii) Ultraviolet rays

(iv) Infrared rays

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Production:

γ Rays: (Radioactive decay of nuclei)

X-rays : (X -rays tubes or inner shell electrons)

UV-rays : (Movement from one inner energy level to another)

Infrared rays: (Vibration of atoms and molecules)

Q-2. (i) How are electromagnetic waves produced? How do you convince yourself that electromagnetic waves carry
energy and momentum?

Ans: (i) The electromagnetic waves are produced by the accelerated charge. The electric and magnetic fields
produced by the accelerated charge change with time. Hence, it radiates electromagnetic waves.

(ii) The EM waves are produced by the accelerated charge. The electron jumping from its outer to inner orbits
radiates EM waves. These EM waves are propagated as electric and magnetic fields oscillating mutually
perpendicular directions which cause of momentum and energy.

Q. 3.(i) if the earth did not have atmosphere, would its average surface temperature be higher or lower than what it is
now? Explain.

(ii)An EM wave exerts pressure on the surface on which it is incident. Justify.

Ans: (i) Average surface temperature will be lower, because there will be no green house effect in absence of
atmosphere.

(ii)Since electromagnetic waves carry both energy and momentum, therefore, they exert pressure on the surface on
with they are incident.

Q. 4. (i) How are microwaves produced? Why is it necessary in microwave ovens to select the frequency of
microwaves to match the resonant frequency of water molecules?(ii) Write two important uses of infrared waves.

Ans: (i) Microwaves are produced by special vacuum tubes like the klystron / Magnetron / Gunn diode.

The frequency of microwaves is selected match the resonant frequency of water molecules, so that energy is
transferred efficiently to the kinetic energy of the molecules.

(ii) (a) Associated with the greenhouse effect.

(b) In remote switches of household electrical appliances.

Q. 5. Arrange the following electromagnetic radiations in ascending order to their frequencies:

(i) Microwaves (ii) Radio waves (iii) X- rays (iv) Gamma rays

Ans: radio waves < Microwaves < X -rays < Gamma rays.

Uses of Microwaves: (a) Aircraft navigation (b) Ovens.

Q. 6. Distinguish between any two types of propagation of electromagnetic waves based on (i) Frequency range over
which they are applicable and (ii) Communication systems in which they are used.

Ans: (i) X-rays then Gamma RAYS – 5x1019 Hz and Infrared Rays -3 x 1013 Hz

(ii) a] Microwaves - Aircraft navigation b] Radio waves - Radio and Television Communication system.

Q.7. A EM wave, Y1 has a wavelength of 1 cm while another EM wave, Y2 has a frequency of 1015 Hz. Name these
two types of waves and write one useful application for each.

Ans: Y1 Microwaves - Microwaves oven, Aircraft Navigator etc.

Y2 Ultraviolet waves - Sterlize surgical instruments, food preservation etc.

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Q.8.(i) Why is the thin ozone layer on top of the stratosphere crucial for human survival? Identify to which part of
electromagnetic spectrum does this radiation belong and write one important application of the radiation.

(ii) Why are infrared waves referred to as heat waves?

How are they produced? What role do they play in maintaining the earth’s warmth through the green house effect?

Ans: (i) It absorbs ultraviolet radiations from sun and prevents them from reaching on the earth’s surface causing
damage to life.

Identification: ultraviolet radiations. Application = sanitization, forensics etc.

(ii) Water molecules present in most materials readily absorbs infrared waves. Hence, their thermal motion
increases. Therefore, they heat their surroundings.

They are produced by hot bodies and molecules. Incoming visible light is absorbed by earth’s surface and radiated as
infrared radiations. These radiations are trapped by green house gases.

Q. 9. Identify the type of waves which are produced by the following way and write one application for each.

(i) Radioactive decay of the nucleus. (ii) Rapid acceleration and decelerations of electrons in aerials.

(iii) Bombarding a metal target by high energy electrons.

S. No. Type of wave Application

(i) Gamma rays Treatment of tumours

(ii) Radio waves Radio and television

Communication system.

(iii) X- rays Study of crystals

Q. 9.(i) Identify the part of the electromagnetic spectrum which is: ( i) Suitable for radar system used aircraft
navigation. (ii) Produced by bombarding a metal target by high speed electrons.

(Ans: (i)(a) Microwaves (b) X - rays

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