Electromagnetic radiation is a type of energy that travels through space as waves made up of electric and magnetic fields that move together. These waves travel at the speed of light (about 3 × 10⁸ meters per second in a vacuum).

Key Features:

1. It’s a Wave:Electromagnetic radiation travels in the form of waves with two components:

   • Electric field

   • Magnetic field

     
     

     These fields are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the wave’s movement.

2. No Medium Needed:Unlike sound or water waves, electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to travel. They can move through a vacuum (like space).

3. Spectrum:Electromagnetic radiation includes a wide range of wave types, known as the electromagnetic spectrum:

   • Radio waves (longest wavelength)

   • Microwaves

   • Infrared

   • Visible light

   • Ultraviolet

   • X-rays

   • Gamma rays (shortest wavelength)

4. Energy:The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency and energy of the radiation.Energy is given by:E = h × f,where E = energy, h = Planck's constant, and f = frequency.

Examples in Daily Life:

• Sunlight (visible light + UV + infrared)

• Microwave ovens (microwaves)

• Radios and TVs (radio waves)

• X-ray machines (X-rays)