Electromagnetic waves

It is a disturbance which carries energy in space due to the simultaneously time varying mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.

Electric and magnetic fields are mutually perpendicular as well as perpendicular to direction of propagation of waver. Therefore EM waves are transverse in nature.    is directed along the direction of propagation of wave.

B vector is in xz plane and E vector is in yz plane

B E

Amplitude of electric field is much greater than amplitude of magnetic field.

In EM wave electric and magnetic fields are given by the equations.

E = E₀ sin (wt – kx)

B = B₀ sin (wt – kx)

∴ B & E are a function of x & t

E(x, t) & B(x, t)

Origin of electromagnetic wave is an oscillating charge.

An oscillating charge produces time varying electric and magnetic field with a

frequency equal to frequency of oscillating hence produces EM waves of same frequency