Propagate

Wave propagation refers to any of the ways in which waves travel.

  • Electromagnetic radiation propagates through space, carrying electromagnetic energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.
  • The propagation of electromagnetic radiation through space is sometimes described in terms of photons rather than waves.
  • Photons are particles that are sometimes used to explain the behaviour of electromagnetic waves.
  • Propagation of electromagnetic waves can occur in a vacuum as well as through different media. Other wave types such as sound waves cannot propagate through a vacuum and require a transmission medium.
  • All forms of electromagnetic radiation propagate in similar ways whether they are radio waves, microwaves, infrared, (visible) light, ultraviolet, X-rays, or gamma rays.
  • When a light wave encounters an object, it may be transmitted, reflected, absorbed, refracted, polarized, diffracted, or scattered depending on the composition of the object and the wavelength of the light.
  • The speed of electromagnetic waves as they propagate through a vacuum is a constant ie. 299,792,458 meters per second. This constant speed is a fundamental principle of physics.
Related diagrams

Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.

References

Wave propagation refers to any of the ways in which waves travel.

  • Electromagnetic radiation propagates through space, carrying electromagnetic energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.
  • The propagation of electromagnetic radiation through space is sometimes described in terms of photons rather than waves.
  • Photons are particles that are sometimes used to explain the behaviour of electromagnetic waves.
  • Propagation of electromagnetic waves can occur in a vacuum as well as through different media. Other wave types such as sound waves cannot propagate through a vacuum and require a transmission medium.
  • All forms of electromagnetic radiation propagate in similar ways whether they are radio waves, microwaves, infrared, (visible) light, ultraviolet, X-rays, or gamma rays.