ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

Electromagnetic wave - is a wave caused by

accelerating electrons. These waves are a
combination of electric and magnetic fields whose
movements are perpendicular to each other and to
the direction of the wave.

Electromagnetic Spectrum- is a continuum of

electromagnetic waves arranged from waves of
lowest frequencies to the waves of highest
frequencies.

Low Frequency Waves: Suitable for

long-distance communication, limited by Earth's
curvature (~80 km). Range extended using
repeaters.
High Frequency Waves: Reflected by the
The different types of electromagnetic waves are
ionosphere, enabling long-distance
defined by the amount of energy carried
transmission.
by/possessed by the photons. “Photons” are bundles
of wave energy. The energy of a photon is given by Medium & High Frequency Waves: Used by
the equation: local radio stations for broadcasting.
E=hf
Radio Transmission Process:
Where h is the Plank’s Constant and f is the - Sound converted into audio frequency (AF)
frequency of the EM wave. The value of Planck's signals.
Constant is 6.63 x 10-34 joules•second. - High frequency radio waves (RF carriers) are
modulated to match AF signals.

Amplitude Modulation (AM): Changes the

amplitude of RF carriers, ideal for long-distance
broadcasting.

Frequency Modulation (FM): Changes the

frequency of RF carriers, providing higher quality
and stereo sound.

The key differences between AM (Amplitude

Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation)
are:

Modulation Type:
- AM: The amplitude (strength) of the radio
TYPES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
wave is varied to match the audio signal.
1. Radio Waves - these waves have the longest - FM: The frequency (number of waves per
wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. They second) is varied to match the audio signal.
are produced by making electrons vibrate in an
antenna. They are used to transmit sound and picture Sound Quality:
information over long distances. - AM: Lower sound quality, more prone to static
and noise interference.
Radio waves have a very wide range of wavelengths.
- FM: Higher sound quality, less affected by
The whole region of the radio waves is divided into
interference, and supports stereo sound.
smaller regions or wavebands. Each waveband is
allocated by law to a specific radio service.
Range:
- AM: Longer range, can be transmitted over great
distances.
- FM: Shorter range, typically used for local
broadcasting but with clearer sound.

Bandwidth:
- AM: Narrower bandwidth, suitable for speech (e.g.,
talk radio).
- FM: Wider bandwidth, better for music and COLOR λ (nm)
high-quality audio.
Indigo/Violet 390 - 455

2. Microwaves- these waves have smaller Blue 455- 492

wavelengths than radio waves. They are used in
Green 492 - 577
satellite communications, radar, television
transmission and cooking. Yellow 577 - 597

Microwaves can penetrate Earth's atmosphere, Orange 597 - 622

making them ideal for satellite communications.
Red 622 - 700
Communication satellites orbit 35,000 km above the
equator at 11,300 km/h, matching Earth's 24-hour
rotation, which makes them appear stationary from
the ground. Antennas are fixed to point towards these
satellites, transmitting microwave signals that are
5. Ultraviolet Radiation- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is
amplified and retransmitted to other antennas around
found just beyond the violet end of the visible
the world, facilitating global communication.
spectrum, with shorter wavelengths and higher
energy than visible light. While the sun is the main
Microwaves have short wavelengths and are reflected
source of UV radiation, artificial sources, such as UV
by small objects, which are used in radar systems.
lamps, are used in banks to verify signatures and
Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) consists of an
detect counterfeit notes. UV radiation also sterilizes
antenna, transmitter, and receiver. The antenna scans
drinking water and is found in washing powders that
the area while the transmitter sends narrow beams of
make clothes appear whiter. It helps produce vitamin
microwaves in short pulses. When these signals hit
D and causes tanning but can be harmful, leading to
an object, they are reflected back to the receiver. The
skin burns, eye damage, and increased skin cancer
direction of the received signal indicates the object's
risk. Sunscreen lotions provide protection against UV
location, and the time between the transmitted and
radiation.
reflected pulses is used to calculate the distance.

3. Infrared- Infrared radiation lies beyond the red end

of visible light and is emitted by all objects, with the
amount and wavelength depending on temperature.
Below 500°C, objects emit only infrared, while above
500°C, they emit both infrared and some visible light.
Our bodies emit infrared, and with infrared cameras or
night vision goggles, temperature differences appear
in various colors—blue and green for colder areas,
and red and yellow for warmer areas.

6. X-ray- discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in

1895, have shorter wavelengths and higher energy
than ultraviolet rays. They are produced in an X-ray
tube when fast-moving electrons strike a metal target.
Long-wavelength X-rays can penetrate flesh but not
bones, aiding in diagnosing fractures and tumors,
while short-wavelength X-rays can penetrate metals
4. Visible / White Light- When white light passes and inspect welded joints. However, all X-rays can
through a prism, it separates into its constituent damage healthy cells, so frequent exposure should be
colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and avoided, as it can harm tissues and increase cancer
violet. These colors blend smoothly from red to violet. risk.
Red has the longest wavelength, while violet has the
shortest. Our eyes can detect electromagnetic waves
with wavelengths between 4 x 10^-7 m and 7 x 10^-7
m, which is the range of white light. This range is
known as the visible spectrum.
 Frequency (f)= c/λ
Wavelength (λ)= c/f
Speed (c)= fλ
Energy of Photon (E)= hf

Distance/Length:
7. Gamma Rays - these rays lie at the other end of
the electromagnetic spectrum. They are shortest in 1. Kilometer (km) to Meter (m):
wavelength and highest in frequency. They carry the 1 km = 1,000 m / 103 m
highest amount of energy, thus they are more 2. Meter (m) to Kilometer (km):
dangerous. Gamma rays are emitted by stars and 1 m = 0.001 km / 10-3 m
some radioactive substances. They can only be 3. Meter (m) to Nanometer (nm):
1 m = 1,000,000,000 nm / 109 nm
blocked with lead and thick concrete. These waves
4. Nanometer (nm) to Meter (m):
are so strong that they can kill living cells. Gamma 1 nm = 0.000000001 m / 10⁻⁹ m
rays are used to treat cancer through the process of
radiotherapy. They are used for sterilization of Frequency:
drinking water
1. Kilohertz (kHz) to Hertz (Hz):
1 kHz = 1,000 Hz / 103 Hz
2. Hertz (Hz) to Kilohertz (kHz):
1 Hz = 0.001 kHz / 10-3 Hz
3. Megahertz (MHz) to Hertz (Hz):
1 MHz = 1,000,000 Hz / 106 Hz
4. Gigahertz (GHz) to Hertz (Hz):
1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz / 109 Hz
5. Terahertz (THz) to Hz:
1 THz = 1,000,000,000,000 Hz/ 1012 Hz

Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

Frequency- the number of full cycle waves of crest or

trough.

(f) symbol
(hertz/hz) one word unit
(1/s or s-1) equation unit

Wavelength- the distance between adjacent crest or

adjacent trough.

(λ/lambda) symbol
(m) equation unit

Speed of light/ Electromagnetic wave

(constant value = 3.0x108 m/s)

(c) symbol
(m/s) equation unit

Energy- directly affected by the amplitude and the

frequency of a wave.

(E) symbol

(joules/J) equation unit

Photons- bundles of wave energy

Formulas