Chapter 5 form three physics

Chapter 5: Electromagnetic waves

How to produce electromagnetic waves
• Matter is made up of molecules. The molecules are themselves are made up of
atoms, in atoms we have a positively charged central nucleus around which
electrons, the negatively charged particles revolve in paths called orbits. Both the
electrons and nucleus carry electric charge.
• When these charged particles undergo a change in energy they emit waves or
radiations.
• A change in energy may occur in a number of ways. These include:

a. Electrons undergoing transition from orbit of higher energy to one of lower

energy
b. Oscillation of electrons or nuclei: as the electrons or nuclei oscillate, their KE
changes constantly.
c. Movement of a molecule

In all these cases the energy is emitted in a form of a transverse wave, which consists of
a varying electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other, and travel
in the same direction. This type of wave that contains both electric and magnetic field is
called an electromagnetic wave.

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Figure below shows an example of E.M. wave.

• Depending
on their
sources or
origin, the E.M waves are emitted with varying wavelengths or frequencies. Due
to their different wavelengths, they form a family of waves.

The electromagnetic spectrum

• When these waves are arranged in order of their wavelengths or frequencies,

they form the electromagnetic spectrum.
• The electromagnetic spectrum consists of seven different waves with a different
wavelength and frequency and they are :
1. Gamma rays (γ)
2. X -rays
3. Ultraviolet (UV)
4. Visible light
5. Infra-red (IR)
6. Microwaves
7. Radio waves

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Properties of electromagnetic waves

All electromagnetic waves:

o Carry no charge
o Are transverse in nature
o Undergo reflection, refraction, diffraction and show interference effect.
o Do not need any material medium to travel. i.e. they can travel through a
vacuum
o Travel in free space(vacuum) with the speed of light (c =3x108m/s)
o Transfer energy from one place to another.
o Can be emitted or absorbed by matter.
o Possess energy E that is directly proportional to its frequency. E∝ F
The energy possessed by electromagnetic waves is given by the equation:
E = hf, where h is the Planck’s constant (6.63 x 10-34) and f the frequency of the
wave.

o Obey the wave equation V = F λ

o Are not deflected by magnetic and electric fields

Worked examples

1. Calculate the freque+ncy of a red light of wavelength 7X10-7 m. The speed of

electromagnetic wave in free space is 3X108m/s?
Solution

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C=fλ

𝑐 3𝑥108
𝜆= = = 4.3𝑥1014𝑚
𝑓 7𝑥10−7

Example2.

Calculate the wavelength of a radio wave of frequency 1X108Hz?

Solution

C=fλ

𝟑𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟖
λ=C/f = 𝟏𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟖 = 𝟑𝒎

Questions

1. A radio station is transmitting at a frequency of 15.42 MHz. Calculate the wavelength of

the transmission.
2. An x-ray machine produces radiation of wavelength of 1.0 x 10 -11m. calculate:
a) The frequency of the radiation
b) Its energy content

Uses, sources, hazards and detection of electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic Sources Detection Uses Hazards

Wave
All radiation detectors • To sterilize food and
such as photographic medical equipments
Nucleus of film, cloud chamber • To kill cancer cells.
Gamma rays radioactive and GM tube • To kill weevils in grains They can cause
elements • As a tracer. skin cancer
• To take x-ray pictures to
check patients bones.

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• As part of security
checking procedure in
x-rays x-ray tubes Photographic film airports They can cause
• To check internal skin cancer
structure objects in
industries.
• In a detective works.
• Small amount of UV
produces vitamin D in our
Sun skin. It can cause
• UV radiation glow when suntan
Ultraviolet (UV) UV lamps Fluorescent substance they strike fluorescent
radiation substance. This property is Large doses
Very hot used can cause skin
objects ✓ In security cancer
marker.
✓ Fluorescent
lamps.
• It can also be used in
detective work.
• Seeing.
Photographic film • Communication (fiber
Visible light Luminous optics).
objects Human eye • Photosynthesis.
• Photograph (by ordinary
camera
• Burglar alarms.
• Remote controls.
• Searching for people under
collapsed buildings by
using infrared camera.
• Checking for heat loss of
Outer layer of the Skin buildings by using infrared
Any object camera. Heating
Infrared radiation that have a Eyes of some animals • Night sights of wild
temperatur animals, Large doses
e above Blackened • photographers can cause skin
absolute thermometers. cancer
zero
• To cook food.

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R Micro waves Microwave • For communication with

A ovens satellites and mobile
D phones
I • Rader used to detect
O echoes. Large doses
W can cause
A Ultra high TV and TV and mobile • Communication for TV cancer
V frequency mobile antennas and mobile phones.
E waves transmitter
S (UHF) s
Very high Radio Radio antennas • Used for local radios
frequency transmitter
waves (VHF) s

Sources of E.M waves

Electromagnetic Waves Source

Radio Wave Electrical oscillating circuit (consists of a capacitor and coil connected in
series)

Microwave Oscillating electrical charge in a microwave transmitter

Infrared Hot bodies, the sun and fires

Visible Light The sun, hot objects, fires, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes

Ultraviolet Very hot objects, the sun, mercury vapour lamps

X-ray X-ray tubes where high energy electrons bombarding a metal plate.

Gamma Ray Radioactive substances

Exercise

1. This question is about waves.

(a) Look at the diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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(i) Which type of wave is used to cook food?

(ii) Which type of wave is used by a TV remote control?

(iii) Ultraviolet waves can harm humans.

(iv) What damage can ultraviolet waves do to humans?

2. The diagram shows parts of the electromagnet spectrum in order. Some parts have been
named.
Radio waves P Visible light Q X-rays

i. Write down the name of part P.

ii. Write down the name of part Q
iii. Look at the diagram. Which part of the spectrum has the shortest
wavelength?
3. Use the following words to complete the following sentences.

Infrared Microwaves Radio waves Ultra-violet Visible light

i. Food can be cooked using …………………………………………..

ii. Thermometer can detect …………………………………………….
iii. Photographs taken with ordinary camera use ……………………
iv. Skin cancer can be caused by ……………………………………….