Electromagnetic waves are the mechanism by which electromagnetic energy (electromagnetic radiation) moves. They are composed of two components: an electric wave, or an electric field, and a magnetic wave or magnetic field. The fields are in dynamic motion, and these two waves are in phase and move at 90 degrees to each other. The orientation of this "package" can vary in the space through which it moves, which leads to what we term polarization, but the electric and magnetic components always maintain the right angle relationship to each other. Draw an "X" with the angles it creates equal to 90 degrees. Got it? A cross? Now rotate it just a bit. The whole thing. Now a bit more. Now a bit more. You are looking at the electromagnetic wave as it's coming at you (or going away), and you're changing the polarization of the cross without changing the cross itself. Let's jump.
One of the four basic forces in the universe is the electromagnetic force. Not the electric force, not the magnetic force, but the electromagnetic force. You can't have one without the other. Ever. A magnetic field is always created by some sort of charge movement. It is the only way a magnetic field can be created. Just like you can't have gravity without mass, you can't have magnetism without some sort of charge movement. Any time a charge moves, a magnetic field is created. All the time. Every time. No exceptions. Let's jump to go a step further.
Let's take a simplified example. Picture a pond as smooth as glass. We walk out on a low dock and kneel down at the water. Then we take our index finger and just "tap" the surface of the water one time. A ripple is generated, and it moves out away from the point where we initiated it. We good? Let's bounce a bit. If we take a charged particle like, say, an electron that is in orbit around an atom, and we give it some energy to kick it out to the next higher orbital; we have ionized the atom. The electron will then "dump" that extra energy and return to its original orbital. That energy it dumps will take the form of a "particle" or "package" of energy - a quantum of energy. And it is a moving electric and a complimentary moving magnetic field - just like the ripple on the pond. Only it is this "coupled" electric and magnetic "bundle" of energy. It's a photon, or a quantum of electromagnetic energy.
The energy of the wave is carried in the moving fields, and that is why the wave does not require a medium through which to travel. In fact, anything other than a vacuum will attenuate or "suck energy" out of the wave a bit at a time through the distance through which the wave travels in that medium.
As you might have guessed, electromagnetic radiation comes in different "amounts" or amplitudes, and in different frequencies (energies). From radio waves through microwaves, and through infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light and X-rays all the way to gamma rays, there is a full spectrum of this energy.
This gets deep, but the essence of what is happening is here. Simple, but subtle and elegant. Reachable by even elementary school investigators. It is the essential nature of the universe we live in.
Wikipedia has more information, and a link is provided below to their post on electromagnetic radiation. Further investigation is encouraged. At least surf on over and look at the drawing of the moving and electric and magnetic fields to lock that in. Maybe skim the article while you're there, or at least bookmark it. You've just peeked through the window in the quantum mechanical universe. Enjoy the view. Wonder at it. It is the reality in which we live.
Yes, electromagnetic radiation includes infrared radiation, which has longer wavelengths than visible light. Infrared radiation is not visible to the human eye but can be felt as heat. It is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which encompasses all forms of electromagnetic radiation.
The intensity of any electromagnetic radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance of the emitter of that radiation.
Alpha radiation is not electromagnetic. It's a stream of helium nuclei.
Ultraviolet Electromagnetic Radiation
All forms of electromagnetic radiation make up the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes visible light, radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Each type of radiation has a different wavelength and energy level.
Electromagnetic radiation is carried by electromagnetic waves.
The packet of electromagnetic radiation is the photon.
Electromagnetic radiation is transferred by electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic radiation is a fundamental phenomenon of electromagnetism.
EM radiation is short for electromagnetic radiation. It is a wave in the electric and magnetic fields.EM radiation is short for electromagnetic radiation. It is a wave in the electric and magnetic fields.EM radiation is short for electromagnetic radiation. It is a wave in the electric and magnetic fields.EM radiation is short for electromagnetic radiation. It is a wave in the electric and magnetic fields.
Electromagnetic Radiation requires no medium. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, and it can traverse the stars.
Yes, electromagnetic radiation does travel as a transverse wave
Visible light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible.
Yes, electromagnetic radiation includes infrared radiation, which has longer wavelengths than visible light. Infrared radiation is not visible to the human eye but can be felt as heat. It is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which encompasses all forms of electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from many different things. Some of the things that emit electromagnetic radiation are microwaves, x-rays and radios.
in physics, electromagnetic radiation occurs when charged particles have forces acting on them to accelerate them. Electrons are responsible for the force needed to create electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic waves are transferred by electromagnetic radiation.
Electron release electromagnetic radiation when they lose energy.