7.4.1—That all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel with the
- Syllabus
- 9702–2028–2029
- Objective
- 7.4.1
- Level
- AS
Electromagnetic waves consist of mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields, both transverse to the direction of travel, and move at c≈3.00×10⁸ m s⁻¹ in vacuum.
They do not require a material medium; in matter their speed can be lower and depends on the medium.
Radio, visible light and X-rays are different frequencies of the same transverse electromagnetic family.
“Electromagnetic” does not mean longitudinal, and c applies to free space, not every material.