- Electromagnetic waves come from a whole variety of sources. They differ greatly in their wavelengths and in their effects, but they have certain fundamental properties in common.
- The common properties of electromagnetic waves are as below:
- They are transverse waves:
- Electromagnetic waves are transverse wave.
- The moving wave effect is produced by oscillating electric and magnetic fields oscillate at right angles to the direction of travel and at right angles to each other
- They can travel in Vacuum:
Electromagnetic wave can travel in vacuum - They travel with the same speed in vacuum:
- In vacuum, all the electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed commonly known as the speed of light (3 × 108m/s).
- In other medium, different electromagnetic wave may travel at different speed.
- They can be polarised:
- A transverse wave can be polarized.
- Plane polarized light will be produced when light travels through a polarizing material like polaroid.
- Polaroid is a type of material that only allows light waves of one plane to pass through.
- They are neutral:
Electromagnetic waves are electrically neutral.
- They are transverse waves: