Electromagnetic Waves and Their Properties

Front

Wave Noun

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[wayv]

Back

Wave

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A disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another, often involving the oscillation of matter or fields.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, like an electromagnetic wave, and labels its key parts: crest (peak), trough (valley), amplitude (height), and wavelength (length).

Front

Mechanical Wave Noun

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[muh-kan-i-kuhl wayv]

Back

Mechanical Wave

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A wave that requires a material medium, such as water, air, or a solid, to propagate or transfer energy.

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Example: A hand moving a spring up and down creates a mechanical wave, transferring energy through the spring's coils without moving the spring itself forward.

Front

Electromagnetic Wave Noun

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[ih-lek-troh-mag-net-ik wayv]

Back

Electromagnetic Wave

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A wave composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can travel through the vacuum of space without a medium.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, arranging waves like radio, microwaves, and X-rays by their wavelength, from longest to shortest.

Front

Propagation Noun

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[prop-uh-gey-shuhn]

Back

Propagation

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The process by which a wave travels or transports energy from one location to another through a medium or vacuum.

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Example: This diagram shows how electromagnetic waves (radiation) propagate, or travel, through space from a source like the Sun to the Earth.

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-uhm]

Back

Medium

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The substance or material, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, through which a mechanical wave travels to transfer energy.

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Example: This diagram shows light waves traveling from water (one medium) to air (a second medium), causing the light to bend and change its path.

Front

Vacuum Noun

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[vak-yoom]

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Vacuum

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A space devoid of matter, through which electromagnetic waves can travel but mechanical waves cannot propagate.

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Example: This bell-in-a-jar setup demonstrates that sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum, while light waves (a type of electromagnetic wave) can.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

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The distance between two consecutive corresponding points of a wave, such as from one crest to the next crest.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave and uses an arrow to label the wavelength as the distance between two consecutive peaks, a key property of waves.

Front

Frequency Noun

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[free-kwuhn-see]

Back

Frequency

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The number of complete wave cycles or oscillations that pass a specific point in a given amount of time.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave with a low frequency, meaning few wave cycles pass a point in a given amount of time.

Front

Amplitude Noun

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[am-pli-tood]

Back

Amplitude

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The maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave from its equilibrium position.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave and uses an arrow to label the amplitude, which is the maximum height of the wave from its center line.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vurs wayv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave in which the particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of energy transport.

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Example: This diagram shows an electromagnetic wave, where the electric (red) and magnetic (blue) fields oscillate perpendicular to the direction the wave travels (propagation direction).