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Nature of
Week 1
Electromagnetic Waves

I-phase

This time, you will be introduced to the nature of an electromagnetic (EM) wave. As its name
suggests, it is considered to be of both electric and magnetic in nature. In other words, an
electromagnetic wave contains an electric field and a magnetic field. These fields are not made up of
matter similar to what is in a football field. Instead, electric and magnetic fields are the regions through
which the push or pull of charged particles and magnets is exerted. Charged particles and magnets can
push or pull certain objects without even touching them.
LEARNING TASK 1 - Check your understanding! TRUE OR FALSE: Write the word TRUE if the
statement is correct, and FALSE if it is not. (3 points each). Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Electromagnetic waves transfer energy through a vacuum.
2. A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy.
3. EM waves travel at the speed of 4x108 m/s.
4. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves consisting of changing electric fields and
changing magnetic fields.
5. Most EM waves have the same speed.

D-phase

NATURE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

How are electromagnetic waves produced?

Electromagnetic waves are

produced by a charge that changes its
direction or speed. Electrons are charged
particles that can produce electric and
magnetic fields. But in order to create the
vibrating electric and magnetic fields that are
the characteristics of an electromagnetic
wave, electrons must move. A charged
particle, such as an electron, moves back
and forth, or vibrate. A changing magnetic
field produces an electric field and in the
same manner, a changing electric field
produces a magnetic field.

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 An electromagnetic wave is made up of an electric field and a magnetic field positioned at right
angles to each other and to the direction of motion of the wave (see Figure 1.1). Since these fields are
located at the right angles to the direction of motion of the wave, electromagnetic waves are considered
as transverse waves. This means that both electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to each
other and to the direction of the propagating wave.
Electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum at a speed of 3x108 m/s and denoted as c, the
speed of light. The speed is slightly slower in air, glass, and any other material. To appreciate just how
great this speed is, consider this: Light from the sun travels 150 million kilometers to Earth in about 8
minutes!
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are known to possess the following properties:

1. They are produced by accelerated or oscillating charge.
2. They do not require any material or medium for propagation.
3. They travel in free space at the speed of 3x108 m/s.
LEARNING TASK 2 – Check your understanding! Answer the following questions on a paper.
1. What is an electromagnetic field?
2. How is an EM wave produced and propagated?
3. How do electromagnetic waves play an important role in your life? Explain your answer.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

E-phase

A. Directions: Unscramble the words in Box B and match this words to fill them into the appropriate
blanks in Box A to complete the statements below. Write the answer on a separate sheet of paper.
(3pts each)

A-phase

A. Check your understanding!

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TRUE OR FALSE: Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct, and FALSE if it is not. (3 points
each). Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

_______________ 1. Most EM waves have the same speed.

_______________ 2. EM waves travel at the speed of 4x10 8 m/s.
_______________ 3. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves consisting of changing electric
fields and changing magnetic fields.
_______________ 4. Electromagnetic waves transfer energy through a vacuum.
_______________ 5. A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy.

B. Let’s extend what you have learned!

Directions:
1. Inside your house, look around four devices and appliances that you use everyday.
2. Name four (4) objects that you see which can produce electromagnetic waves.
3. Write the uses/applications of the objects that you have listed.
4. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

ASSESSMENT

Directions: Choose the CAPITAL LETTER of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. How are electromagnetic waves produced?

A. Any disturbance C. Vibrating charge
B. Currents D. Voltage source

2. In the electromagnetic wave, what is the direction of the propagation of the wave?
A. Always to the right
B. Cannot be determined
C. Parallel to electric and magnetic field directions
D. Perpendicular to the electric and magnetic field directions

3. Which of the following forms of electromagnetic waves has the widest frequency range?
A. Microwave C. Ultraviolet
B. Radio waves D. X-ray

4. What happens to the frequency of the electromagnetic wave if its wavelength increases?
A. It decreases. C. It remains the same.
B. It increases as well. D. None of the above.

5. What is the speed of the electromagnetic wave in a vacuum?

A. Zero
B. Always the same as the speed of light
C. Changing depending on the value of its wavelength

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 D. none of the above

6. Who contributed in developing equations that showed the relationship of electricity and
magnetism?
A. André-Marie Ampere C. Heinrich Hertz
B. James Clerk Maxwell D. Michael Faraday

7. Who showed the experimental evidence of electromagnetic waves and their link to light?
A. André-Marie Ampere C. James Clerk Maxwell
B. Heinrich Hertz D. Michael Faraday

8. Which type of wave has the shortest wavelength?

A. Gamma ray C. Ultraviolet
B. Microwave D. X-ray

9. What is the other term for electromagnetic waves?

A. Electric waves C. Mechanical waves
B. Longitudinal waves D. Transverse waves

10. All EM waves have the same speed.

A. True B. False

11. Which of the following correctly lists electromagnetic waves in the order from the longest to the
shortest wavelength?
A. Gamma rays, ultraviolet, infrared, microwaves
B. Microwaves, ultraviolet, visible light, gamma rays
C. Radio waves, infrared, gamma rays, ultraviolet
D. Radio waves, infrared, visible light, X-rays

12. How is the wavelength of infrared differs from the wavelength of ultraviolet waves?
A. Longer C. The same
B. Shorter D. None of the above

13. What is the main difference between a radio wave and a light wave?
A. Speed C. Both A and B
B. Wavelength D. None of the above

14. Which of the following is NOT an electromagnetic wave?

A. Infrared C. Sound
B. Light D. Radio

15. What is the frequency range of UV radiation?

A. 3.5x109 – 3x1011 Hz C. 7.5x1014 – 3x1016 Hz
B. 3.5x1011 – 4x1014 Hz D. 7.5x1016 – 3x1019 Hz

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 EM Waves: Frequencies and
Week 2
Wavelengths

I-phase

Now that you have acquired a deeper understanding on what electromagnetic waves are, you
might be wondering how sunlight is different from X-rays if both are electromagnetic waves that travel
at the same speed. Electromagnetic waves, like all types of waves, are described by their physical
wave features: amplitude, wavelength, and frequency. These are the characteristics that can vary and
thereby produce many different kinds of electromagnetic waves.
An electromagnetic wave is arranged according to its wavelength and frequency. The term
frequency describes how many waves per second a wavelength produces. On the other hand, the
wavelength measures the length of an individual wave in meters.
The next activity will enable you to explore the different types of EM waves based on their
wavelengths and frequencies.

LEARNING TASK 1 - Activity 3.1: When Frequency and Wavelength Matters!

Procedure:
1. Study the image of the electromagnetic spectrum very closely.
2. Determine the frequency and wavelength ranges of the different types of electromagnetic
waves.

D-phase

EM Waves: Frequencies and Wavelengths

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 The electromagnetic waves (EM) are often arranged in the order of wavelength and frequency
in what is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. Because all EM waves travel at the same speed,
if the frequency of a wave changes, then the wavelength must change as well. Waves with the longest
wavelengths have the lowest frequencies while the waves with the shortest wavelengths have the
highest frequencies. The amount of energy carried by an electromagnetic wave increases with its
frequency.
Arranged according to increasing frequency, the EM spectrum displays the following waves:
radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays at the high-
frequency (short wavelength) end. It is important to note that these waves do not have an exact dividing
region.

Since all EM waves travel at the speed of light, then the spectrum of wavelengths is exactly
opposite to the spectrum of frequencies. In other words, wavelength and frequency are inversely
proportional to each other. As frequencies increase on the EM spectrum, wavelengths decrease. So,
that means radio waves have the longest wavelengths and gamma rays have the shortest.

The different types of electromagnetic waves are defined by the amount of energy carried by
their photons. Photons are bundles of wave energy. From among the EM waves, gamma rays carry
photons of high energies while radio waves own photons with the lowest energies. With regard to the
wavelength properties, radio waves can be likened to the size of a football field while gamma rays are
as small as the nuclei of an atom.
Gamma rays, X-rays, and high ultraviolet
are classified as ionizing radiation as
their photons have enough energy to
ionize atoms, causing chemical reactions.

All electromagnetic waves can

travel through a medium but unlike other
types of waves, they can also travel in a
vacuum or empty space. They travel in a
vacuum at the speed of 3x108 m/s and
denoted as c, the speed of light. The
wave speed, frequency and wavelength
are related as shown in the following
equation:

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 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE
THEORY

When you studied wave

motion, you have known that a
disturbance produces waves
that can be transmitted through
a medium. In the same way,
electromagnetic waves are
also produced by a disturbance
caused by a vibrating charge. When the charge is moved, the electric field around it is changed.
Recall Oersted’s discovery which states that “A changing electric field produces a magnetic
field”. A changing magnetic field is therefore produced around the vibrating charge. In turn, this
changing magnetic field produces an electric field.
Do you remember Faraday’s Law? The cycle goes on. The changing magnetic and electric
fields are perpendicular to each other and to their direction of propagation. Therefore, they are seen as
transverse waves.
About 150 years ago, James Clerk Maxwell theorized that this mutual generation and
propagation of electric field and magnetic field can be conceived as a form of moving energy carried by
what he called as electromagnetic wave. So, if this is just like any wave, does it mean that it travels
through a medium? No. Electromagnetic wave traverses empty space! However, Maxwell did not
believe that electromagnetic wave propagates in space under any condition. He supposed that it must
move at a certain speed. He calculated the speed of the wave based on Faraday’s theoretical
assumptions and experiments and concluded that the speed is 3.0 x 108 m/s and denoted as c – the
same as the speed of light! He therefore proposed that light is a form of electromagnetic wave.
Unfortunately, at that time, no experiment was done to verify his accounts. But after Faraday’s death,
Heinrich Hertz designed an experimental set-up that enabled him to generate and detect
electromagnetic waves.

Proponents on the Formulation of EM Wave Theory

The following prominent scientists each made a significant contribution in resolving how
electromagnetic waves behave.
James Clerk Maxwell (1876), an English scientist who developed a scientific theory to better
explain electromagnetic waves. When Maxwell used this field theory to assume that light was an
electromagnetic wave, and then correctly deduced the finite velocity of light, it was a powerful logical
argument for the existence of the electromagnetic force field.
He noticed that electrical fields and magnetic fields can couple together to form electromagnetic
waves. Maxwell discovered that a changing magnetic field will induce a changing electric field and vice
versa.
Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist who applied Maxwell’s theories to the production and
reception of radio waves. The unit of frequency of a radio wave - one cycle per second - is named the
hertz, in honor of Heinrich Hertz. He proved the existence of radio waves in the late 1880s. He used
two rods that served as a receiver and a spark gap as the receiving antennae. Where the waves were
picked up, a corresponding spark would jump. Hertz showed in his experiments that these signals
possessed all of the properties of electromagnetic waves.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is probably best known for his discovery of electromagnetic
induction. His contributions to electrical engineering and electrochemistry or due to the fact that he was
responsible for introducing the concept of field in physics to describe electromagnetic interaction are
enough for him to be highly recognized. But perhaps, it is not so well known that he had also made
fundamental contributions to the electromagnetic theory of light.
André-Marie Ampère made the revolutionary discovery that a wire carrying electric current can
attract or repel another wire next to it that’s also carrying electric current. The attraction is magnetic, but

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no magnets are necessary for the effect to be seen. He went on to formulate Ampere’s Law of
Electromagnetism and produced the best definition of electric current during his time.
Hans Christian Oersted, a Danish physicist and chemist who discovered that the electric
current in a wire can deflect a magnetized compass needle, a phenomenon the importance of which
was rapidly recognized and which inspired the development of electromagnetic theory.
The Basic Principles of EM Wave Theory
After years of rigorous studies and experiments, the following principles came about to explain the
Electromagnetic Wave Theory.
1. Many natural phenomena exhibit wave-like behaviors. All of them – water waves, earthquake
waves, and sound waves require a medium to propagate. These are examples of mechanical
waves.
2. Light can also be described as a wave – a wave of changing electric and magnetic fields that
propagate outward from their sources. These waves, however, do not require a medium to
propagate.
3. They propagate at 300,000,000 meters per second through a vacuum.
4. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. In simpler terms, the changing electric and
magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the propagating
waves.
5. These changing electric and magnetic fields generate each other through Faraday’s Law of
Induction and Ampere’s Law of Electromagnetism. These changing fields dissociate from the
oscillating charge and propagate out into space at the speed of light.
6. When the oscillating charge accelerates, the moving charge’s electric fields change, too.

LEARNING TASK 2 - Say something on this! Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. How is an electromagnetic spectrum organized in terms of its frequency and wavelength?

2. What happens to the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave if its frequency increases?

E-phase

LEARNING TASK 3 – A

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B. Try to solve this problem!
Show your solutions on a separate sheet of paper.
(Assume that the waves propagate in a vacuum.)

1. What is the frequency of a micro wave that has a wavelength of 1.5x102 m?

Given: v = c = 3x108 m/s (constant)

λ = 1.5x102 m
f =?

A-phase

LEARNING TASK 4 - MATCHING TYPE

Directions: Match the scientists listed below to their corresponding contributions.

Write the LETTER only of your answer on a separate sheet of paper. 3pts each

Scientists Contribution
________1. André-Marie Ampere A. Contributed in developing equations
that showed the relationship of electricity
and magnetism
________2. Michael Faraday B. Showed experimental evidence of
electromagnetic waves and their link to light
________3. Heinrich Hertz C. Demonstrated the magnetic effect based on
the direction of a current
________4. James Clerk Maxwell D. Formulated the principle behind
electromagnetic induction
________5. Hans Christian Oersted E. Showed how a current-carrying wire
behaves like a magnet

ASSESSMENT

Direction: Create your own comic strips citing the scientists’ contribution to the development of
the Electromagnetic Wave Theory. Place/Draw it in a separate sheet of paper.

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