Speed of Electromagnetic Radiation And EM Radiation

Speed of Electromagnetic Radiation And EM Radiation

Shivani PooniaUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 05:50 PM IST

Scientists were always curious to understand the relationship between electricity and the magnetic effect. Whenever a current is passed through a current-carrying conductor, it experiences a magnetic effect too. We found that an electric current generates a magnetic field and that two wires carrying currents impose a magnetic force on one another. Moreover, a magnetic field that varies over time produces an electric field. Is the converse also true? Does a fluctuating electric field serve as the source of a magnetic field? It is true.

This Story also Contains

  1. Electromagnetic Radiation - From Spark to Spectrum:
  2. Parameters to Define Wave
  3. Electromagnetic Spectrum :
  4. Solved Examples-
  5. Conclusion
Speed of Electromagnetic Radiation And EM Radiation
Electromagnetic Waves

Several experiments were conducted to understand the relationship between electric current and magnetic field. According to James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879), an electric current and a time-varying electric field can both produce a magnetic field. While applying Ampere's circuital equation to calculate the magnetic field at a location outside of a capacitor coupled to a time-varying current, Maxwell found an anomaly in it.

In this article, we will cover the concept of Electromagnetic Waves and several related parameters. This concept falls under the broader category of Atomic structure, which is a crucial chapter in Class 11 chemistry. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and more.

Let us discuss Electromagnetic waves and several parameters related to the wave such as Wavelength, period, frequency, and speed as the related formula.

Electromagnetic Radiation - From Spark to Spectrum:

According to electromagnetic wave theory, energy is emitted continuously from a source in the form of radiation (or waves), known as electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiations have both magnetic field as well as electric field components which oscillate in the phase perpendicular to each other as well as perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. These waves do not require any medium for propagation and can propagate through a vacuum. Many types of electromagnetic radiation constitute what is known as the electromagnetic spectrum.

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Parameters to Define Wave

There are several parameters required to characterize or define a wave. These parameters are defined below:

1. Wavelength $ \text { }(\lambda) $: It is the distance travelled by the wave during one complete oscillation.

The maxima are called crests and the minima are called Troughs. Alternatively, the distance between two consecutive crests or two consecutive troughs is also called the wavelength.

2. Period (T): It is the time required for one complete oscillation or one complete cycle by a wave.

3. Frequency $ (\nu) $ : It is the number of waves produced by the source in one second

It is the inverse of the period. Its SI unit is Hertz (Hz).

$ \nu=\frac{1}{\mathrm{~T}} $

4. Speed (c): It is the distance travelled by the wave in one second.
In one time period, the wave travels a distance equal to its wavelength.

$ \begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{c}=\frac{\text { distance }}{\text { time }}=\frac{\text { Wavelength }}{\text { Time Period }}=\frac{\lambda}{\mathrm{T}} \\
& \because \nu=\frac{1}{\mathrm{~T}} \\
& \therefore \mathrm{c}=\nu \times \lambda
\end{aligned} $

The speed of all the different components of light is the same i.e. they travel with the speed of $ 3 \times 10^8 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s} $. Their frequency and wavelength are different
5. Wave number $ (\bar{\nu}) $: It is the inverse of the wavelength. It can also be defined as the number of wavelengths present in unit length.

$ \bar{\nu}=\frac{1}{\lambda} $

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Electromagnetic Spectrum :

The rays present on the left extreme of the spectrum have the greatest frequency, least wavelength, and the greatest energy, As the frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and energy increases.

Recommended topic video on (Electromagnetic radiation)


Solved Examples-

Example 1: Which of the following EM radiation lies in the highest energy region?

1) UV rays
2) X-rays
3) (correct) $ \gamma- rays $
4) Radio waves

Solution:
Wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and EM radiation -Radio wave - $ 3 \times 10^{14} $ to $ 3 \times 10^7 $ Angstrom
Microwave -$ 3 \times 10^9 $ to $ 3 \times 10^6 $ Angstrom
Infrared - $ 6 \times 6^6 $ to 7600 Angstrom
Ultraviolet -3800 to 150 Angstrom
X-rays -150 to 0.1 Angstrom
Gamma rays -0.1 to 0.01 Angstrom

Now, The Relation between Energy and Wavelength of EM Waves,
$ \begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{E}=\mathrm{h} \nu=\frac{\mathrm{hc}}{\lambda} \\
& \mathrm{E} \propto \frac{1}{\lambda}
\end{aligned} $

The energy of the EM wave is in the following order $ \gamma $ rays > $ \mathrm{X} $ - rays > UV rays> visible rays> Infrared rays> microwave > radio wave

Hence, the answer is the option(3).

Example 2: The value of Planck's constant is $ 6.63 \times 10^{-34} \mathrm{Js} $. The velocity of light is $ 3.0 \times 10^8 \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}$. Which value is closest to the wavelength in nanometers of a quantum of light with a frequency of $ 8 \times 10^{15} s^{-1} $
1) $ 3 \times 10^7 $
2) $ 2 \times 10^{-25} $
3) $ 5 \times 10^{-18} $
4) (correct) 37.5

Solution:
We know that,

$ \begin{aligned}
& \nu=\frac{c}{\lambda} \\
& \Rightarrow \lambda=\frac{c}{\nu}
\end{aligned} $

$ \Rightarrow \lambda=\frac{c}{\nu}=\frac{3 \times 10^8}{8 \times 10^{15}}=3.75 \times 10^{-8} \mathrm{~m} $

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

Example 3: Assertion: Electromagnetic waves can be polarised.

Reasoning: The direction of the electric field vector in an electromagnetic wave determines its polarization.

1) (correct) Both assertion and reasoning are true, and the reasoning is the correct explanation of the assertion.

2) Both assertion and reasoning are true, but the reasoning is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

3) The assertion is true, but the reasoning is false.

4)Both assertion and reasoning are false.

Solution:

An electromagnetic wave consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other and the direction of propagation of the wave. The direction of the electric field vector in an electromagnetic wave determines its polarization. If the electric field vector oscillates in a single plane, the wave is said to be polarised. Electromagnetic waves can be polarised by using a polarising filter, which transmits only the waves that have their electric field vectors oriented in a particular direction. Therefore, both the assertion and reasoning are true, and the reasoning is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Conclusion

We discussed the electromagnetic wave theory, in which we understand the relationship between electricity and magnetism. The electromagnetic wave emits energy and is hence also called electromagnetic radiation. Understanding electromagnetic waves allows us to predict other phenomena related to electricity and other electrical transformations. The Generators, Transformers, and other wireless devices principles are directly or indirectly based on electromagnetic wave theory.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the significance of the speed of electromagnetic radiation in understanding the Lamb shift?
A:
The Lamb shift is a small difference in energy levels of the hydrogen atom that arises from quantum electrodynamics effects. The speed of light appears in calculations of this shift, as it involves the interaction of the electron with the quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. This effect provided crucial evidence for the quantum nature of the electromagnetic field.
Q: How does the speed of electromagnetic radiation affect our understanding of the cosmic microwave background radiation?
A:
The cosmic microwave background radiation is the oldest light in the universe, released about 380,000 years after the Big Bang. The speed of light determines how far this radiation has traveled and thus the size of the observable universe. It also affects our interpretation of the CMB's temperature fluctuations and what they tell us about the early universe.
Q: How does the speed of electromagnetic radiation relate to the concept of gravitational waves?
A:
Gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime predicted by general relativity, propagate at the speed of light. This prediction was confirmed by the observation of both gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a neutron star merger in 2017, providing strong support for Einstein's theory and our understanding of the speed of gravity.
Q: What is the significance of the speed of electromagnetic radiation in quantum optics?
A:
In quantum optics, the speed of light is crucial for understanding phenomena like spontaneous emission, stimulated emission, and the interaction of light with matter at the quantum level. It appears in calculations of photon statistics, coherence properties, and the dynamics of quantum optical systems.
Q: What is the role of the speed of electromagnetic radiation in understanding vacuum energy?
A:
Vacuum energy, or zero-point energy, is the energy that remains when all other energy is removed from a system. The speed of light appears in calculations of vacuum energy density, which is related to the cosmological constant in general relativity. Understanding vacuum energy is crucial for addressing the cosmological constant problem in physics.
Q: How does the speed of electromagnetic radiation affect the Doppler effect?
A:
The Doppler effect for light (electromagnetic radiation) is the change in observed frequency due to relative motion between the source and observer. Unlike the Doppler effect for sound, the relativistic Doppler effect for light must take into account the constancy of the speed of light, leading to more complex equations at high speeds.
Q: How does the speed of electromagnetic radiation relate to the concept of simultaneity?
A:
The finite and constant speed of light leads to the relativity of simultaneity in Einstein's theory. Events that appear simultaneous to one observer may not be simultaneous to another observer in a different reference frame. This challenges our intuitive notions of absolute time and has profound implications for our understanding of causality and the nature of spacetime.
Q: What is the relationship between the speed of electromagnetic radiation and the fine structure constant?
A:
The fine structure constant, a fundamental physical constant, is defined in terms of the speed of light, the elementary charge, Planck's constant, and the permittivity of free space. It characterizes the strength of the electromagnetic interaction between elementary charged particles and plays a crucial role in quantum electrodynamics.
Q: How does the speed of electromagnetic radiation affect our understanding of black holes?
A:
The speed of light is crucial in understanding black holes. The event horizon of a black hole is defined as the boundary beyond which light cannot escape the black hole's gravitational pull. This is because the escape velocity at the event horizon is equal to the speed of light, which nothing can exceed according to special relativity.
Q: What is the significance of the speed of electromagnetic radiation in fiber optic communications?
A:
In fiber optic communications, light signals travel through optical fibers at speeds slightly lower than c due to the refractive index of the fiber material. Understanding this speed is crucial for designing efficient communication systems, calculating signal delays, and determining the maximum data transmission rates over long distances.