SACE Stage 2 Physics

Light and Matter

Electromagnetic Waves
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves
Light is considered to consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields
at 90
o
to each other and at right angles to the direction of travel.
Y
Z
X
E
E
B
B
Direction of propagation
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves
The frequency of the wave refers to the frequency of the periodic variations
in the electro-magnetic fields.

The wavelength of light refers to the distance between two consecutive
points in space where the electric field (or magnetic field) is in phase.

Electromagnetic induction suggests that a changing magnetic field will
induce a changing electric field which in turn will induce a changing magnetic
field and so on.

Waves that consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields are known as
electromagnetic waves.
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves are generated by accelerating (vibrate) electrons.
Electrons which vibrate in a single plane will generate electromagnetic waves
with the electric field restricted to a single plane.
Similarly the magnetic field will also be restricted to a plane at right angles to
the electric field. A polarised wave is one in which the electric field is confined
to a single plane and the magnetic field vectors are confined to a single plane
at right angles to the electric field.

We define the plane of polarisation to be the plane of the electric field in
the polarised electromagnetic wave.
Production of Electro-Magnetic (E-M)
Waves by an Antenna
When any charged particle (eg. an electron) accelerates, an E-M wave is
produced. If a circuit, therefore, has a vibrating or alternating current in it the
charges are continually accelerating thus will radiate E-M waves.
An alternating voltage applied to a length of metal (an antenna) will thus
radiate an E-M wave.
~ ~
E
E
E
E
~
E
+
+
+
--
-
~
+
+
+
--
-
~
+
+
+
--
-
Two metal rods are connected to an AC generator. The charges on each rod then alternate, creating an
alternating Electric field, thus radiating an E-M wave - which travels at the speed of light.
Reception of an E-M Wave by an
Antenna:
When an EM wave hits an antenna, the free electrons in the antenna will be
forced to vibrate (by induction). If a simple circuit is connected to the antenna
and the circuit is tuned, so that a narrow band of frequency will cause the
electrons to resonate.
This signal is the amplified and sent to the appropriate audio visual device.
The orientation of the antenna should match the plane of polarization of the
EM wave.
Speed, Frequency and Wavelength
In a vacuum any electromagnetic wave will travel at the speed of light
c = 3 x 10
8
m s
-1
. (This is a constant and is the fastest speed possible.)
Since
v
s
t
=
A
A
for a wave, the time taken for one
complete wavelength
(As = ) to pass a point is the period (T) of the wave. The frequency of
the wave is the number of waves past a point in one second, hence,

f =
1
/
T



Thus, v = c, As = , and At = T = 1/f


Then, becomes,



Ie,
Speed, Frequency and Wavelength
v
s
t
=
A
A
f
f
1 T
c =
|
.
|

\
|

=
c f =
Speed, Frequency and Wavelength
Example
A ray of green light has a wavelength of 540nm in a vacuum. Find its
frequency.
Speed, Frequency and Wavelength
Example
A ray of green light has a wavelength of 540nm in a vacuum. Find its
frequency.
Hz f
Hz f
f
c
f
f c
m nm
14
15
7
8
7
10 56 . 5
10 5556 . 0
10 40 . 5
10 3

10 40 . 5 540
=
=

=
=
=
= =

Speed, Frequency and Wavelength

Example
A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 720kHz. Find its wavelength.
Speed, Frequency and Wavelength
Example
A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 720kHz. Find its wavelength.
m m
f
c
f c
Hz kHz f
417 10 17 . 4
10 20 . 7
10 3

10 20 . 7 720
2
5
8
6
= =

=
=
=
= =

Application: LADS
LADS (Laser Airborne Depth Sounder) is a system that uses an aircraft to fly
over a body of water to automatically measure the depth of the water.
The LADS system works by emitting a
laser at the water. When the laser hits
the water, it is partially reflected and
transmitted. The reflected laser the
returns to the plane. The transmitted
laser continues through and is reflected
of the bottom of the water and back up
to the plane. Knowing the speed of light
in water, the time delay between the
reflected and transmitted ray can be
used to determine the depth.
Application: LADS
The extra distance travelled by the second pulse (transmitted ray) is to the
bottom of the water and back, i.e., twice the depth of the water. Therefore the
depth of the water is half of the extra distance travelled.
Application: LADS
Example
An aircraft carrying a LADS system is flying horizontally above a lake. The
laser pulses are reflected of the surface of the water and of the bottom of the
lake return to the aircraft 3.33s and 3.55s after being emitted. If the speed
of light in fresh water is 2.25 x 10
8
ms
-1
, calculate the depth of the water where
the sounding was taken.
Application: LADS
Example
A aircraft carrying a LADS system is flying horizontally above a lake. The
laser pulses are reflected of the surface of the water and of the bottom of the
lake return to the aircraft 3.33s and 3.55s after being emitted. If the speed
of light in fresh water is 2.25 x 10
8
ms
-1
, calculate the depth of the water where
the sounding was taken.
m s
s
vt s
s s s s t
5 . 49
10 2 . 2 10 25 . 2

10 2 . 2 22 . 0 33 . 3 55 . 3
7 8
7
=
=
=
= = = A

The extra distance travelled by the second pulse is 49.5m, therefore the
depth of the lake is 24.75m deep.
The Necessity To Use A Powerful Laser
Lasers used in the LADS system are 1Megawatt. This is a very powerful
laser! Why?
Suspended sediment in the water can scatter the laser reducing the amount
of energy reaching the bottom.
Water tends to absorb the light that passes through it.
The seabed also absorbs light.
Only a small fraction of the energy actually return to the aircraft as it scans
from side to side and the surface of the water and seabed is quite rough.
The laser used is very power full and could blind someone below, therefore
the laser is spread out over a distance to reduce the risk of injury below.