What are various ranges of electromagnetic radiation ? Explain the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation.

Explanation

According to Maxwell, " electromagnetic radiation " , is made up of electromagnetic waves . An electromagnetic wave propagating through space is a combination of two components , one is varying electric field and the other is the varying magnetic field . These two fields are perpendicular to each other and are also perpendicular to the direction of propagation of wave .
Characteristics of electromagnetic radiations :
(1) These are produced by oscillating charged particles in a body .
(2) The radiations can pass through vacuum also . So medium for transmission is not required .

(3) The wavelength `(lamda)` is the distance between two neighouring crests or troughs of the wave . Unit for `lamda` is cm , m nm , `Å` .
(4) Frequency of the wave `(upsilon)`is the number of waves which cross a particular point in one second.
`upsilon=("velocity")/("wavelength")=(c)/(lamda)`
Unit of frequency is cycles per sec (cps) or hertz (Hz)
(1Hz=1cps)
The frequency is inversely proportional to its wavelength .
`upsilonprop(1)/(lamda)`

5) Velocity (c) of a wave is the distance travelled by the wave in one second .
Velocity = wavelength `xx` frequency
`rArrc=lamdaxxupsilon` Velocity of all electromagnetic radiations in space or in vacuum is the same and is equal to `3xx10^(10)"cm"//s`.
Wave number `(bar(upsilon))` is the number of wavelenths per centimeter . It is reciprocal of wavelength .
`bar(upsilon)=(1)/(lamda)" Unit of " bar(upsilon)" is cm "^(-1)`
Amplitude (A) is the height of the crest or depth of trough of a wave . It determines the intensity or brightness of the light .
8) Electromagnetic spectrum is the spectrum which shows the wavelengths or frequencies or wave numbers of various regions of electromagnetic radiations.