Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are produced by accelerated charges, exhibiting oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space.

Introduction

Maxwell's exploration of electric and magnetic fields revealed the generation of magnetic fields by time-varying electric fields, leading to the unification of electromagnetism and the prediction of electromagnetic waves.

Displacement Current

Maxwell introduced the concept of displacement current to explain the generation of magnetic fields by changing electric fields, completing the description of electromagnetic phenomena.

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are produced by accelerated charges, exhibiting oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space.

Sources Of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are produced by accelerating charges; stationary or uniformly moving charges do not generate them.

Nature Of Electromagnetic Waves

This section describes the characteristics of electromagnetic waves as predicted by Maxwell's equations, emphasizing their perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic waves, classified by wavelength and frequency, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Radio Waves

Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation produced by the acceleration of electric charges and are crucial for communication technologies.

Microwaves

Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave produced by special vacuum tubes, and they have practical applications in radar systems and microwave ovens.

Infrared Waves

Infrared waves, often called heat waves, are produced by hot bodies, play a significant role in thermal energy transfer, and have various practical applications.

Visible Rays

Visible rays are the only part of the electromagnetic spectrum detectable by the human eye, and they range from approximately 400 nm to 700 nm in wavelength.

Ultraviolet Rays

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 400 nm and 0.6 nm, primarily sourced from the sun and specialized lamps.

X-Rays

X-rays are high-frequency electromagnetic waves, utilized primarily in the medical field for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.

Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are high-frequency electromagnetic waves produced from nuclear reactions and radioactive nuclei, utilized primarily in medical applications for cancer treatment.

Summary

This section summarizes the key findings of Maxwell regarding electromagnetic waves and their properties.

Exercises

This section presents a series of exercises related to electromagnetism concepts, particularly focusing on displacement current, capacitance, and electromagnetic waves.