The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves Unit 4 Waves The Nature of Electromagnetic Waves
Reminder… waves transfer energy w/o transferring matter mechanical waves, like water waves & sound waves, transfer energy by making particles of matter move (but not electromagnetic waves)
Electromagnetic Waves electromagnetic waves - produced by charged particles (electrons or protons) in motion do not use matter to travel
Electromagnetic Waves: Made of 2 Force Fields Magnetic Field Electric Field magnetic field - a force field around a magnet that causes other magnets to line up w/ the direction of the field electric field - a force field around a charged particle (electron or proton) that attracts other charged particles
Making Electromagnetic Waves electromagnetic waves are made when charged particles (electrons/protons) move a charged particle makes an electric field BUT… a moving charged particle makes an electric field AND a magnetic field ex. when an electric current flows through a wire, electrons are moving in the wire, which causes an electric field in the wire & a magnetic field around the wire
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves wavelength - one complete vibration of a charged particle frequency - the number of times the charged particle makes a complete vibration in 1 second higher frequency of EM. waves = more energy radiant energy - the energy carried by an electromagnetic wave all EM. waves travel at the same speed (300 million m/s)