A light wave is a type of electromagnetic radiation resulting from the interaction between oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
- Key features of electromagnetic waves are:
- Wavelength (λ): The wavelength of a light wave is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave. Wavelength determines the colour of the light, with shorter wavelengths appearing as blue or violet and longer wavelengths appearing as red or orange.
- Frequency (f): The frequency of a light wave is the number of wave cycles that pass a given point per second. Higher frequencies correspond to higher energy levels.
- Amplitude (A): The amplitude of a light wave refers to the height or intensity of the wave. The greater the amplitude, the brighter the light appears.
- Velocity (v): Velocity refers to the speed at which the wave travels through a medium, such as air or a vacuum. The velocity of light can be affected by the medium it travels through.
- Electromagnetic radiation is carried by an electromagnetic wave.
- Electromagnetic radiation is measured in terms of the amount of electromagnetic energy carried by an electromagnetic wave.
- Electromagnetic waves are synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate at the speed of light in a vacuum.
- The energy carried by electromagnetic waves is often referred to as radiant energy.
- Electromagnetic radiation can also be described in terms of elementary particles called photons.
- We can feel electromagnetic waves release their energy when sunlight warms our skin.
- The position of an electromagnetic wave in the electromagnetic spectrum can be characterized by either its frequency of oscillation or wavelength.
- The electromagnetic spectrum includes, in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength: radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays.
- The limit for long wavelengths is the size of the observable universe which is estimated to be around 93 billion light-years in diameter.
- The short wavelength limit is still a topic of theoretical debate and research, and it is not yet definitively known whether there is a limit at the Planck length.
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
