INTRODUCTION

● Let us discuss electromagnetic waves, their properties

and characteristics, and also their practical uses in our
everyday life.
● One of the most important applications of
electromagnetic waves is in the field of communication.
● Some of the important applications of electromagnetic
waves are as follows:
1. We are able to see everything surrounding us because of
electromagnetic waves.
2. These waves help in aircraft navigation and help the pilot
for smooth take-off and landing of aero-planes. They also
help to evaluate the speed of aero-planes.
3. In the medical field, these waves have very important
applications. For instance, in laser eye surgery and in x-
rays.
4. Radio and television broadcasting signals are
transmitted with the help of electromagnetic waves.
5. Electromagnetic waves help in determining the speed of
passing vehicles.
6. They are utilized in electronic appliances like T.V.
remotes, remote cars, LED TV, microwave ovens, etc.
7. Voice transmission in mobile phones is made possible
because of electromagnetic waves.
What are Electromagnetic Waves?
● Electromagnetic (EM) waves are the waves which are in
relation to both electricity and magnetism.
● These waves are basically coupled time varying electric
and magnetic fields which propagate in space.
● As these are waves associated with electricity and
magnetism, they definitely would propagate in space.
● When electric and magnetic fields combine together
and vary with time, they both give rise
● Electromagnetic equations are derived from Maxwell’s
equations.
● Maxwell concluded that these EM waves have so
many special properties which can be utilized for many
practical purposes.
 ● Time varying electric field + Time varying magnetic field =
Electromagnetic waves.

The given diagram above demonstrates a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave

propagating in the z-direction with oscillating electric field E in the x-direction and
oscillating magnetic field B in the y-direction.

Maxwell’s Experiments
● Maxwell claimed that time varying electric fields can generate magnetic fields.
● On the other hand, Faraday-Lenz law claims that a time varying magnetic
field generates an electric field.
● According to Faraday-Lenz law, an EMF is induced in a circuit whenever
theamount of magnetic flux linked with that circuit changes.
● As a result, electric current gets generated in the circuit which has an electric
fieldassociated with it.
Now, when Maxwell came across this, he claimed that the vice-versa must also be
true, i.e., a time varying electric field must also be able to generate a magnetic
field.

Ampere’s Circuital Law

● According to Ampere’s circuital law, the line integral of magnetic field over the
length element is equal to 0 times the total current passing through the surface.


Mathematically, dl   l
0
● However, Maxwell found some inconsistencies in Ampere’s circuital law.
● Hence, Ampere’s circuital law was found to be correct only for some cases but
notalways.
● Maxwell observed various scenarios to conclude this. For instance, he took a
capacitor and tried to determine the magnetic field at a specific point in a piece
ofthis capacitor.
 ● Point P as shown in the coming figures is where he determined the value of
B,assuming some current I, flowing through the circuit.
● He considered 3 different loops as shown in the following figures.
● If Ampere’s circuital law was correct, it must be applicable for all these 3 setups.

Case 1: Maxwell considered a surface of radius r and the circumference of the surface,
dl. According to Ampere’s circuital law;
B.dl   l
0

 B2r  0l
l
 B  0
2r

Case 2: Maxwell considered a surface, like a box with its lid open and applied the
Ampere’s circuital law;

B.dl   l
0
Here, as there is no current flowing inside the capacitor, current, I turned out to be
zero.

 B.dl  0

Case 3: Maxwell considered the surface between 2 plates of a capacitor as shown. In

this case also I  0 and hence, B  0.

● Clearly, at the same point but with different Amperial surfaces, Maxwell found
that the values of magnetic fields are not the same, thus proving his claims on
inconsistencies in the law.
● Maxwell pointed out that there were some gaps in the Ampere’s circuital law.
He rectified them and made Ampere’s circuital law consistent in all the
scenarios.

Maxwell’s correction to Ampere’s law

● Ampere’s law states that the line integral of resultant magnetic field along a closed
plane curve is equal to 0 times the total current crossing the area bounded by the
closed curve, provided the electric field inside the loop remains constant.
● This law was applicable only for steady currents.
● Maxwell found the shortcomings in Ampere’s law and modified this law
byinvolving time-varying electric fields.
● For Ampere’s circuital law to be correct, Maxwell assumed that there has to
besome current existing between the plates of the capacitor.
● Outside the capacitor, current was due to the flow of electrons.
● There was no conduction of charges between the plates of the capacitor.
● According to Maxwell, between the plates of the capacitor, there should be
anelectric field which is directed from the positive plate to the negative plate.
● Magnitude of the electric field, E   V / d 
Where,
V  potential difference between the plates
d  distance between the plates
 E  Q / Cd
Where,
Q  charge on the plates of the capacitor,
C  Capacitance of the capacitor
 E  (Q / (A0d / d))
 E  Q/ (A0)
Where,
A  area of the capacitor.
● Direction of the electric field would be perpendicular to the selected surface
(theplate of the capacitor).
● Now, as E outside the plates and E  (Q / (A0)) between the plates, there
0
might be some electric field between the plates because of which some current is
present between the plates of the capacitor.
● Electric flux through the surface  E   EA   QA / (A0 )  (Q / 0 )
● Assuming Q as charge on the capacitor and when it changes with time,
currentwould get generated for sure.
● Therefore, current Id  dQ / dt 
Where,
Id  displacement current
● Now, differentiating E  (Q/ 0 ) with respect to time on both sides,
(dE / dt)  (1 / 0 )dQ / dt 
Where,
dQ / dt   current
Therefore,
dQ / dt  0 (d E / dt)
Clearly, current gets generated because of change of electric flux with time.
● Electric flux arose because of the presence of electric field in the plates of
thecapacitor.
● Id  dQ / dt   displacement current
Therefore, change in electric field gave rise to displacement current.
● Current won’t be 0 but would Id .
be
● There is some current between the plates of the capacitor and there is some
currentat the surface.
● At certain points, there is no displacement current; there is only conduction
currentand vice-versa.
● Maxwell corrected the Ampere’s circuital law by including displacement current.
● He said that apart from the current which existed outside the capacitor, there
was also a current known as displacement current which existed between the
plates of the capacitor.
● And this displacement current exists due to the change in the electric field
betweenthe plates of the capacitor.
● Conclusion: Magnetic fields are produced both by conduction currents and by
timevarying fields.
 ● Figure (a) represent the electric and magnetic fields E and B between the
capacitor plates at the point M while figure (b) represents a cross-sectional view
of figure (a).

Ampere-Maxwell Law
● Since Maxwell was able to correct the shortcomings of the Ampere’s circuital
law, the law came to be known as Ampere-Maxwell law from then onwards.
● Current which arises due to the flow of charges is known as conduction current.
Itis denoted by Ic .
● Current which arises due to change in electric field is known as
displacementcurrent. It is denoted by Id .
● Thus, total current is given by I  Ic  Id .
● Ampere-Maxwell law stated that

dl   (I  I )
0 c d

 dl   I    (d
0 c 0 0 E / dt)
● The above expression is known as modified Maxwell’s law or Ampere-
Maxwelllaw.

8.1 Displacement Current

● Consider a capacitor and that outside the plates of this capacitor, there is conduction
current Ic .
● In the region between the plates i.e., inside the capacitor, let there be a displacement
current, Id .
 ● Physical behavior of displacement current is the same as that of induction current.
● Now, the difference between conduction current and displacement current is
asgiven in the table below:

Conduction Current Displacement Current

It arises due to the fixed charges. It arises due to the change in electric field.

● For static electric Id  0 whereas for time varying electric fields, Id  0 .

fields,
● There can be some scenarios where there would only be conduction current and
insome other cases where there would only be displacement current.
● However, outside the capacitor, there is only conduction current and no
displacement current.
● Also, inside the capacitor there is only displacement current and no
conductioncurrent.
● But there can be some scenarios where both conduction as well as
displacementcurrent are present i.e., when I I c  Id .
● Now, applying modified Ampere-Maxwell law to evaluate the magnetic field at
the same point of the capacitor considering various Amperial loops, the result
would be the same in all the cases.

Ampere – Maxwell law: Consequences

● Case 1: Magnetic field is given by
 dl  0Ic


 dl  0Ic / 2r
● Case 2: Magnetic field is given by
  dl  0Id
 dl  0Id / 2r

● Conclusions:
1. The value of B is the same in both cases.
2. Total current must be the same.
3. Time varying electric field generates magnetic field provided by Ampere-Maxwell
law.
4. Considering the first step, there is an electric field between the plates and this
electric field is varying with time.
5. As a result, there is displacement current and this displacement current gives rise
to the magnetic field.
6. Time varying magnetic field generates an electric field provided by Faraday-Lenz
law.
7. Clearly, when there is electric field changing with time, it generates magnetic field
and when there is magnetic field changing with time, it generates electric field.
● Electromagnetic waves are based on the above conclusion.
Maxwell’s Equations
● Maxwell's equations describe how an electric field can generate a magnetic
field and vice-versa. These equations describe the relationship and behavior of
electric and magnetic fields.
● Maxwell gave a set of four equations which are known as Maxwell’s equations.
They are:
(Gauss’s Law for electricity)

1. E.dA  Q / 0
2.  B.dA  0 (Gauss’s Law for magnetism)
d
E.dl 

B
3. (Faraday’s Law)
dt
4. B.dl   i    dE (Ampere-Maxwell Law)
 0 c 0 0
dt
● According to Maxwell equations;
a) A flow of electric current will generate a magnetic field and if the current varies
with time, magnetic field will also give rise to an electric field.
b) The first equation 1 describes the surface integral of an electric field.
c) The second equation  2  describes the surface integral of the magnetic field.
d) The third equation 3 describes the line integral of the electric field.
e) The fourth equation  4  describes the line integral of the magnetic field.
● Maxwell was the first to conclude that the speed of propagation of EM waves is
thesame as the speed of light. Experimentally, it was found that
1
c
00
Where,
0 is the permeability;
0 is the permittivity;
c is the velocity of light.
● Maxwell’s equations show that the electricity, magnetism and ray optics are
allinter-related to each other.

8.2 Electromagnetic Waves

● Electromagnetic waves refer to the coupled time varying electric and magnetic
fields that propagate in space.
● Electric field is varying with time, and it will give rise to magnetic field; This
magnetic field is varying with time and it further gives rise to electric field and
theprocess continues so on.
● These time varying electric and magnetic fields, coupled with each other when
propagating together in space give rise to electromagnetic waves.
● In the figure given above, the red line represents the electric field and it varies
in the form of a sine wave whereas the blue line represents the magnetic field.
 ● The magnetic field is also a sine wave but in a perpendicular direction to the
electric field.
● Both these fields give rise to electromagnetic fields.
● When the electric field is along the x-axis and the magnetic field along the y-
axis,the wave would propagate in the z-axis.
● Electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other as well as to
thedirection of wave propagation.

8.2.1 Sources of Electromagnetic Waves (EM)

● Electromagnetic waves are generated when electrically charged particles
oscillate(accelerating charges).
● The vibration of the electric field associated with the accelerating charge
generates a vibrating magnetic field.
● Both these vibrating electric and magnetic fields give rise to EM waves.
● When the charge is at rest, the electric field associated with the charge would
also be static. Hence, there would be no generation of EM waves as the electric
field does not vary with time.
● When the charge is moving with uniform velocity, the acceleration is zero. The
change in electric field with time is also constant and as a result, again there
wouldbe no electromagnetic waves generated.
● This shows that only accelerated charges can generate EM waves.
● For example, consider an oscillating charge particle. It has an oscillating
electric field which gives rise to an oscillating magnetic field.
● This oscillating magnetic field further gives rise to an oscillating electric field
andso on, this process continues.
 ● The regeneration of electric and magnetic fields is the same as propagation of
thewave.
● Such a wave where all these phenomena are known as an electromagnetic wave.
● It is also to be noted that the frequency of an EM wave is always equal to
the frequency of the oscillating particle which generates it.

8.2.2 Nature of EM waves

● EM waves are transverse waves.
● Transverse waves are those in which direction of disturbance or displacement
inthe medium is perpendicular to that of the propagation of wave.
● In such a wave, the particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular
tothe direction of propagation of the wave.

● Suppose the EM wave propagates along the x-axis, then, electric and
magnetic fields are perpendicular to the wave propagation.
● This means that when wave propagation  x-axis; electric field  y-axis
and magnetic field z-axis.
● Clearly, EM waves are transverse waves in nature.
● Now, electric field of an EM wave is given by,
Ey  E0 sinkx  t
Where,
Ey  the electric field along the y-axis and x is the direction of propagation of
wave.
● Wave number is given by,
k  2 / t
 



● Magnetic field of EM wave given by,

Bz  B0 sinkx  t
Where,
Bz  the electric field along the z-axis and x is the direction of propagation of
wave.

8.2.3 Energy of EM wave

● When EM waves propagate, they carry energy. Because of this property, they
haveso many practical uses in our everyday life.
● Energy in EM wave is partly carried by electric field and partly by magnetic field.
● Mathematically,
Total energy stored per unit volume in EM wave, ET = Energy stored per unit
volume by electric field + Energy stored per unit volume stored in magnetic field.
1 2 1 2
B 
 2  0   2  0 
 ET  E  
   
● Experimentally, it has been found that
Speed of the EM wave  Speed of the
light
E
c
B
 B   E / c
1 2 1 2 2
 E   E / c  
 2 
 ET 
 2  0 0
   
● Now, from Maxwell’s equations;
1
c
00
1  1   E   
2

2

     


 0 0
ET    E 0

 12  
 1  2 
2

 E      E   
 2 0
E 
T 2 0
2 0 0
   
 E T  E20
This expression gives the amount of energy carried per unit volume by an EM
wave.

8.2.4 Properties of EM waves

● Velocity of EM waves in free space or vacuum is a fundamental constant.
Experimentally, it was found that the velocity of EM wave is the same as speed of
light (c  3108 m / s) .
● c is a fundamental constant given by,
1
c
00
● No material medium is necessary for EM waves. However, they can
propagatewithin a medium as well.
● EM waves need time varying electric and magnetic fields to propagate.
● When there is medium present, then velocity is given by,
1
v

Where,
 permeability of the medium;
  permittivity of the medium.
For example, consider the case of spectacles; When light falls on the glass of a
spectacles, light rays pass through this glass. i.e., Light waves propagate through a
glass medium.
● EM waves carry energy and momentum.
● Total energy stored per unit volume in EM wave is given by,
E T  E2 0 (Partly carried by electric field and partly by magnetic field).
● As EM waves carry energy and momentum, it becomes an important property
for its practical purposes.
● EM waves are used for communication purposes, voice communication in
mobilephones and telecommunication used in radio.
● EM waves exert pressure. As they carry energy and momentum, they exert
pressure. The pressure exerted by EM waves is termed radiation pressure.
For example;
The sunlight which we get from the sun is in the form of visible light rays. These
light rays are also a part of EM waves. If we keep our palm in the sun, after some
time, our palm becomes warm and starts sweating. This happens because the
sunlight is getting transferred in the form of EM waves and these EM waves carry
energy.
Suppose total energy transferred to the hand  E;
Momentum   E / c
 



Now, as c is extremely high, the momentum turns out to be very small. As

momentum is very less, pressure experienced is also very less. This is the reason
due to which the pressure exerted by the sun is not experienced by our palms.

8.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum

● Electromagnetic spectrum is the classification of EM waves with respect to
theirfrequency or wavelength.
● Different categories of EM waves in decreasing order of their wavelength are
asfollows:
a) Radio waves:  0.1m
b) Microwaves: 0.1 m 1mm
c) Infra-Red: 1mm – 700 nm
d) Visible light: 700nm – 400 nm
e) Ultraviolet: 400nm 1nm
f) X-rays: 1nm – 10-3nm
g) Gamma rays:  10-3 nm
● These seven waves together constitute the electromagnetic spectrum.

Tip
● To remember the order of wavelength of each wave, we can just write the
initialletter of all the waves and they seem to be in decreasing order of
wavelength.
● R (Maximum wavelength), M, I, V, U, X and G (Minimum wavelength).
● This can be remembered like this: Red Man In Violet Uniform X Gun.

Image source: Electromagnetic Spectrum (thinglink.com)

● The electromagnetic spectrum has common names for various parts of it.
Thesevarious regions do not have sharply defined boundaries.
Electromagnetic energy of each wave in Electromagnetic Spectrum
● Electromagnetic energy of electromagnetic waves can be described by
frequency,wavelength or energy.
● Frequency - Both micro and radio waves are described in terms of frequencies.
● Frequency is the number of crests that pass a given point within one second.
● Consider a wave which has three crests which pass a point in one second.
Therefore, its frequency  3Hz. Its SI unit is hertz (Hz).
● Wavelength - Infrared and visible waves are generally described in terms
ofwavelength.
● Wavelength is the distance between consecutive crests or troughs.
● Wavelength can vary from a small value to a large value. Its S.I. unit is meter(m).

● Energy - X-rays and Gamma rays are described in terms of energies.

● An EM wave can be described in terms of energy. i.e., in units of eV .
● eV is the amount of kinetic energy needed to move one electron through a
potentialof one volt.
● Moving along the EM spectrum; energy increases as the wavelength decreases.
● Relation between wavelength and frequency is given by.
c  v
Where,
  wavelength;
  frequency;
   c /  
 E  h  hc /  
 E   and E  1 /  
 



● Thus, EM spectrum in terms of decreasing order of wavelength

 R, M, I, V, U, X and G
● Also, the spectrum in terms of increasing order of frequency
 G, X, U, V, I, M, and R

8.3.1 Radio Waves

● Radio waves are produced by the accelerated motion of charges in
conductingwires.
● Important application of radio waves:
i. Radio and television communication systems.
ii. Mobile phones for voice communication.
● In electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength  of radio waves is  0.1m .
● Radio waves are further classified into different bands as follows:
i. AM band (Amplitude Modulated) - 530 kHz to 1710 kHz (lowest frequency
band). They are similar to FM channels.
ii. Short wave band - up to 54MHz
iii. TV wave band - 54MHz to 890MHz
iv. FM band (Frequency Modulated) - 88MHz to 108MHz
v. UHF band - Ultra high frequency (used for voice communication over cell
phones)

8.3.2 Micro Waves

● Micro waves are short wavelength radio waves.
● They are produced by special vacuum tubes (klystrons/magnetrons/Gunn diodes).
● They are used in microwave ovens and radar systems in aircraft navigation.

● RADAR Technology
RADAR - Radio detection and ranging.
Different applications of RADAR:
a) Air traffic control: To manage air traffic. The pilot should know if any other aero
plane is present nearby or not. The pilot should also know the climatic conditions
during take-off and landing.
Radar plays a very important role in aircraft navigation.
b) Speed detection: The instruments which are used to detect the speed of the vehicles
which move on the roads utilize radar technology.
c) Military purposes: It helps to detect enemies and weapons.
d) Satellite tracking: In order to track satellites, radar technology is utilized.
Why do radio waves use micro waves?
● As they use short wavelength waves which are the same as micro waves.
● They are invisible to humans. If we are able to see the waves which get
transmitted, it would be very irritating.
● Even the smallest presence of microwaves is easy to detect.

Working of Radar Set

It consists of:
1. Transmitter: It transmits the microwaves.
2. Receiver: It receives the echo produced by the microwaves when they strike any
object. When the receiver receives the reflected ray, then it is possible to track the
presence of other objects in the vicinity.

Microwave ovens
Microwaves are very useful because:
● They have smaller wavelengths.
● They get absorbed by water, fats and sugar.

Working of microwave oven

● In order to heat anything uniformly, microwave ovens are utilized.
● Any food material would have water, sugar and fats in it.
● When we heat any food material inside the microwave, the microwaves
penetrate inside the food.
● Thus, the microwaves get absorbed by the water and the fat molecules.
● The molecules of the food material would start moving randomly with
some frequency.
● This is the same as providing some wave to the food material with the
same frequency with which the molecules start vibrating.
● This shows that the frequency of microwaves matches with the frequency of
the molecules.
● As all the molecules are set in random motion, temperature increases and the
food material gets heated uniformly throughout.
● Object can be heated in two ways:
a) Conduction of heat: It happens when anything is heated over a gas burner.
b) Exciting the molecules: This technique is used in microwave ovens.

8.3.3 Infrared waves

● Known as heat waves as they are produced by hot bodies.
 ● Their wavelength is lesser than both radio and micro waves.
● They readily get absorbed by water.

● Applications: Infrared lamps/Infrared detector/LED in remote switches of

electronic devices/Greenhouse effect.
For example:
a) Fire gives out both visible light waves and infrared waves. The light rays are
visible to us but the infrared waves cannot be seen by us.
b) Humans also generate some infrared waves.
● There are some special glasses which have infrared detectors to view
infraredwaves.
● Infrared lamps are used to heat food materials and sometimes washrooms.
● When we switch on the TV with the help of a remote, there is an LED both on
TV and on remote. The signal gets transferred from remote to TV via infrared
waves.
● Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse effect is an atmospheric heating phenomenon
thatallows incoming solar radiation to pass through; but blocks the heat radiated
backfrom the Earth’s surface.
● Consider that the sun gives radiation in the form of visible light to the earth.
● When the visible light reaches the earth’s surface, all the objects on the
earthbecome hot.
● The visible light carries energy from sun and that energy gets transferred to all
theobjects present on the earth.
● As a result of heat transfer, all the objects get heated up.
● These hot objects transmit infrared waves.
● The earth will re-radiate the infrared waves.
● When these infrared waves try to go out of the atmosphere, they get trapped by
greenhouse gases like CO2 , CH4 and water vapor.
● As a result, heat gets trapped inside the earth, which results in an increase
intemperature.
● The greenhouse effect makes earth warm because of which the temperature of
theearth is suitable for the survival of life on earth.
● However, global warming is due to an increase in temperature of the
environment, due to pollution.

8.3.4 Visible or Light rays

● Light waves are the most common form of EM wave.
● Their wavelength range 4 1014 Hz  7 1014
is
● We are able to see everything because of light rays.
 ● The radiation which we get from the sun is in the form of visible light.
● Most of the insects have compound eyes due to which they see not only the
visiblelight but also the ultraviolet rays.
● Snakes can even see the infrared rays.

8.3.5 Ultraviolet rays (UV rays) 

● It covers wavelengths 4 10 –7
m 400nm down to
ranging from about
6 10–10 m0.6nm.
● The UV rays are produced by special lamps and very hot bodies like the sun.
● UV rays have harmful effects on humans.
● UV lamps are used to kill germs in water purifiers.
● For example, when UV rays fall on the skin of humans then it leads to the
production of a pigment called melamine which causes tanning of the skin.
● In order to protect from UV rays, glasses are used as the rays get absorbed by
these glasses.
● UV rays help in LASER assisted eye surgery. As UV rays have very short
wavelength, they can be focused into a narrow beam of light.
● The ozone layer which is present outside the atmosphere protects us from the
harmful UV rays.
● Ozone has a property of reflecting the harmful UV rays. But due to the use of
CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), the ozone layer is depleting. So, when ozone layer
gets depleted, humans would get exposed to harmful UV rays coming from the
sun.

8.3.6 X-Rays
● X-Rays are produced by bombarding a metal target by high energy electrons.
● It is a very important diagnostic tool.
● X-Rays have lesser wavelengths when compared to all other waves.
● Because of this, X-Rays can easily penetrate inside the skin (low density
material). It either gets reflected or absorbed by the high-density material (like
bone).
● In any X-Ray, bones look darker while skin looks lighter.
● It is also used for cancer treatment. In cancer there is unwanted growth of the
cells. In order to treat cancer, the abnormal growth of cells should be stopped.
X- Rays have the ability to damage the living tissue. This is how it helps in the
treatment of cancer.

8.3.7 Gamma Rays

● Gamma rays are produced during nuclear reactions and are also emitted by
radioactive nuclei.
● These rays are also utilized in the treatment of the cancer as they have very
small wavelengths. Clearly, they help to kill the growth of unwanted living
cells which grow when the body is suffering from cancer.