The Electromagnetic waves

Electricity can be static, like what

holds a balloon to the wall or
makes your hair stand on end.



Magnetism can also be static like a
refrigerator magnet. But when they
change or move together, they
make waves - electromagnetic
waves.


Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field (shown as blue
arrows) couples with a magnetic field (shown as red arrows). The magnetic
and electric fields of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each
other and to the direction of the wave. J ames Clerk Maxwell and Heinrich
Hertz are two scientists who studied how electromagnetic waves are
formed and how fast they travel.


Transmission of energy through a vacuum or using no medium is accomplished
by electromagnetic waves, caused by the osscilation of electric and magnetic
fields. They move at a constant speed of 3x10
8
m/s. Often, they are
called electromagnetic radiation, light, or photons.
Did you ever wonder what is electromagnetic radiation? The word is somewhat
complicated, but you are in contact with electromagnetic radiation all the time.
Here is a diagram of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum that has appeared in
many text books and websites.Electromagnetic radiation is caused by the
disturbance of an electromagnetic field.

The last line of numbers in power of 10 gives the wavelength in m. The regions
sometimes do not have a clear cut, because there is considerable overlap. For
example, radio waves and microwaves bondary is very vague, but public
regulation for their application (usage) is strict.
Electromagnetic waves are used to transmit long/short/FM wavelength radio
waves, and TV/telephone/wireless signals or energies. They are also responsible
for transmiting energy in the form of microwaves, infrared radiation (IR), visible
light (VIS), ultraviolet light (UV), X-rays, and gamma rays. Each region of this
spectrum plays an important part in our lives, and in the business involving
communication technology. The list given above are in increasing frequency (or
decreasing wavelength) order. Here again is the list of regions and the
approximate wavelengths in them. For simplicity, we choose to give only the
magnitudes of frequencies. That is we give log (frequency) (log(f)).