All electromagnetic waves have certain fundamental properties in common. They basically differ from each other in their wavelengths and in the effects produced.
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
An electromagnetic wave is produced by the simultaneous vibration of electric and magnetic fields.
Features common to all the electromagnetic waves include the following:
They transfer energy from one place to another.
They are transverse waves.
They can travel through a vacuum.
They travel through a vacuum at 300 000 000 meters per second (3 x 108 m/s). This speed is commonly known as the speed of light.
They all show wave properties like reflection and refraction.
They obey the wave equation = ƒ
Application of Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves have wavelengths ranging from several kilometers (in the case of radio waves) to less than a picometer(10-12 m) (in the case of gamma rays).
The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency.
As the frequency gets higher, the energy also increases. This causes different electromagnetic waves to have different properties and applications.
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