1.

Basics of Electromagnetic Waves (EM Waves)

EM waves are transverse waves consisting of oscillating electric (E) and magnetic (B)
fields perpendicular to each other and the direction of propagation.
They do not require a medium for propagation and can travel in a vacuum.
Speed of EM waves in vacuum:
1
c= = 3 × 108 m/s
μ0 ε 0
​

​ ​ ​

−7
where μ0 = 4π × 10 H/m (permeability of free space)
​

and ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F/m (permittivity of free space).

​

2. Relation Between E and B Fields

The magnitudes of electric and magnetic fields are related as:
E = cB
The direction follows the right-hand rule: If you point your fingers in the direction of E, curl them
towards B, then the thumb points in the direction of wave propagation.

3. Energy in Electromagnetic Waves

Energy Density (per unit volume):

1 1 B2
u = uE + uB = ε0 E 2 +
2 2 μ0
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Average Energy Density:

1 1 B02
⟨u⟩ = ε0 E02 =
​

2 2 μ0
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Poynting Vector (Power Flow per Unit Area):

1
S= (E × B)
μ0
​

SI Unit: W/m²
Represents the energy flow per unit time per unit area.
 The average Poynting vector (intensity of EM wave):

cε0 E02
Savg =
​ ​

2
​ ​

4. Electromagnetic Spectrum
Type of EM Wave Wavelength Range Frequency Range Application

Radio Waves >1m < 3 × 108 Hz Communication, TV, Radio

Microwaves 1 mm – 1 m 109 − 1011 Hz Radar, Cooking

Infrared (IR) 700 nm – 1 mm 1011 − 1014 Hz Remote Controls, Thermal Imaging

Visible Light 400 nm – 700 nm 1014 − 1015 Hz Human Vision

Ultraviolet (UV) 10 nm – 400 nm 1015 − 1017 Hz Sterilization, Sunburn

X-rays 0.01 nm – 10 nm 1017 − 1020 Hz Medical Imaging

Gamma Rays < 0.01 nm > 1020 Hz Cancer Treatment, Nuclear Reactions

Order of Increasing Energy:

Radio < Microwaves < Infrared < Visible < UV < X-rays < Gamma
Order of Increasing Wavelength:

Gamma < X-rays < UV < Visible < Infrared < Microwaves < Radio

5. Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

Travel at speed c in vacuum.
Can undergo reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.
Transverse nature: E and B fields are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
Do not require a medium (unlike sound or mechanical waves).
Can be polarized.
6. Maxwell’s Equations (Integral Form)
Maxwell’s equations describe how electric and magnetic fields behave:
1. Gauss’s Law for Electricity

q
∮ E ⋅ dA =
ε0
​

Electric flux through a closed surface is proportional to charge enclosed.

2. Gauss’s Law for Magnetism

∮ B ⋅ dA = 0

No magnetic monopoles exist.

3. Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction

dΦB
∮ E ⋅ dl = −
​

dt
​

A time-varying magnetic flux induces an electric field.

4. Ampère-Maxwell Law

dΦE
∮ B ⋅ dl = μ0 I + μ0 ε0
​

dt
​ ​ ​ ​

A current or a changing electric field produces a magnetic field.

7. Radiation Pressure and Momentum

Radiation Pressure (Perfect Absorption):

S
P =
c
​

Radiation Pressure (Perfect Reflection):

2S
P =
c
​

Momentum of EM Wave:

U
p=
c
​
 where U is energy.

8. Doppler Effect for Light

Relativistic Doppler Shift Formula:

1 + v/c
f′ = f
1 − v/c
​

where v is the relative velocity between the source and observer.

Redshift (v away, f decreases), Blueshift (v towards, f increases).

9. Important Relations
Speed of light in a medium:
c
v=
n
​

where n is the refractive index.

Wavelength in a medium:
λ0
λm =
​

n
​ ​

where λ0 is the wavelength in vacuum

​