Properties of EM Waves

• EM waves originate from accelerating electric charges
• EM waves propagate as follows:

  • An electric field oscillating in one plane induces a magnetic field oscillating in a plane at right angles to it
  • This magnetic field then induces another oscillating electric field
• EM waves can travel through a vacuum (doesn't need a medium)
• EM waves travel at a speed of 300000000 m.s through space

  • This speed is referred to a the speed of light (c)
  • Scientific notation: c = 3 x 10 power of 8 m.s