Electromagnetic Waves are the electromagnetic spectrum in which electric and magnetic field vectors change sinusoidal and are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
Electromagnetic Waves are a concept found in the General Science section of the UPSC Syllabus.
What are Electromagnetic Waves?
Electromagnetic waves are synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic fields. The waves travel at the speed of light while in a vacuum, the speed being commonly denoted as c. A transverse wave is formed when oscillations of the two fields are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of energy and wave propagation, while the material it passes through has a homogeneous composition.
The position of an electromagnetic wave within the spectrum can be characterized by either its frequency of movement to and fro or its wavelength. Electromagnetic waves of different frequencies are called by different names since they have different sources and effects on matter. In order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength, these are radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.
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How are Electromagnetic Waves emitted?
Electromagnetic waves are formed by particles undergoing acceleration that will be electrically charged thus enabling them to exert force on other charged particles by interacting with them. EM waves carry energy, momentum, and angular momentum away from their source particle and can impart those quantities to matter with which they interact. Electromagnetic radiation is associated with those EM waves that are free to propagate themselves (“radiate”) without the continuing influence of the moving charges that produced them because they have achieved sufficient distance from those charges.
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What are the effects of Electromagnetic Waves?
The effects of Electromagnetic Waves (EMW) upon chemical compounds and biological organisms depend both upon the power and its frequency. EMW of visible or lower frequencies (i.e., visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves) is called non-ionizing radiation because its photons do not individually have enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules or break chemical bonds. The effects of these radiations on chemical systems and living tissue are caused primarily by heating effects from the combined energy transfer of many photons.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electromagnetic Waves
What are electromagnetic waves and their properties?
What is the use of electromagnetic waves?
The World Health Organization has classified radiofrequency radiation emanating from electromagnetic waves as Group 2B – possibly carcinogenic. This group contains possible carcinogens such as lead, DDT, and styrene.
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