Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field pairs up with a magnetic field.
The magnetic and electric fields of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the wave. Light is just one of many electromagnetic waves.
An electromagnetic wave does not need a medium to travel and has both a magnetic field and an electric field;
it is a three dimensional transverse wave produced through an energy transfer from accelerating electric charges.
Electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light waves, ultra violet waves, X–rays, and gamma rays.
These electromagnetic waves have certain properties in common such as:
They can travel without a medium (meaning they can even travel through outer space).
They are made up of a magnetic field and an electric field.
They are considered to have the properties of both waves and particles. This is called a dual nature or the duality of light.
They all travel at the same speed, often called the speed of light.
Nothing travels faster.
The magnetic and electric fields of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the wave. Light is just one of many electromagnetic waves.
An electromagnetic wave does not need a medium to travel and has both a magnetic field and an electric field;
it is a three dimensional transverse wave produced through an energy transfer from accelerating electric charges.
Electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light waves, ultra violet waves, X–rays, and gamma rays.
These electromagnetic waves have certain properties in common such as:
They can travel without a medium (meaning they can even travel through outer space).
They are made up of a magnetic field and an electric field.
They are considered to have the properties of both waves and particles. This is called a dual nature or the duality of light.
They all travel at the same speed, often called the speed of light.
Nothing travels faster.