GIST OF THE CHAPTER

Displacement Current: -If there exists an electric current as well as changing electric
field, results magnetic field & cause displacement current
𝑑𝜑𝐸
𝜀0 ( )=𝑖
𝑑𝑡
So, Ampere-Circuital Law was modified called as Ampere-Maxwell Law.
𝑑𝜑𝐸
∮ 𝐵. 𝑑𝑙 = 𝜇0 𝑖𝐶 + 𝜇0 𝜀0 ( )
𝑑𝑡
Electromagnetic Waves: - The electromagnetic waves are those waves in which there are sinusoidal
variations of electric and magnetic field vectors to right angles to each other as well as at right angles to
the direction of wave propagation. (i.e., electric current and magnetic fields vary with space and time.)
Transverse nature of electromagnetic waves: - Electric and magnetic fields oscillate sinusoidally in space
and time in an electromagnetic wave. The oscillating electric and magnetic fields, E and B are perpendicular
to each other, and to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave.
➢ Conduction current & displacement current are the same.
➢ Conduction current arises due to flow of electrons in the conductor.
➢ Displacement current arises due to electric flux changing with time.
𝑰D = 𝜺O d∅E/dt
➢ Maxwell’s equations
Gauss’s Law in Electrostatics ∮ 𝐸.𝑑S = 𝑄/𝜀O
Gauss’s Law in Magnetism ∮ 𝐵 .𝑑𝑆=0
• Ampere’s – Maxwell law ∫𝐵 .𝑑𝑙 = OI + OO d∅E /d𝒕

➢ Electromagnetic Wave :- The wave in which there are sinusoidal variation of electric and magnetic fields
at right angles to each other as well as right angles to the direction of wave propagation. • Velocity of EM
waves in free space: 𝑐 = 1/√𝛍𝒐 𝛆𝒐 = 3x108 m/s
➢ The Scientists associated with the study of EM waves are Hertz, Jagdish Chandra Bose & Marconi.
➢ EM wave is a transverse wave because of which it undergoes polarization effect.
➢ Electric vectors are only responsible for optical effects of EM waves.
➢ The amplitude of electric & magnetic fields are related by 𝐸/𝐵 = 𝑐
➢ Oscillating or accelerating charged particle produces EM waves.
➢ Orderly arrangement of electromagnetic radiation according to its frequency or wavelength is
electromagnetic spectrum.
➢ A self made easy Acronym to memorize the electromagnetic spectrum in decreasing order of its frequency.
Gandhiji’s X-rays Used Vigorously In Medical Research
Here the first of each word indicates: G- gamma rays , X- rays , Ultraviolet rays ,Visible rays , I- Infrared
radiations , M- Microwaves and R- Radio waves
➢ EM waves also carry energy, momentum.

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 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Type Production Detection Uses

Range (Hz)
Frequency

Wavelength
Range
Radio 5×105 >0.1m Rapid acceleration Receiver’s In radio and television
wave Hz to and de- aerials communication system.
s 108 accelerations of In radio astronomy.
Hz electrons in
aerials/antenna.
Micro 109 0.1m Klystron value or Point contact In radar Systems.
wave Hz to to magnetron value. diodes. In long distance communication
12
s 10 1mm systems.
Hz In microwave ovens.
Infrar 1011 1mm Vibration of atoms Thermopiles In remote control of TV or VCR.
ed Hz to to and molecules. Bolometer, In Green House.
5× 700n Infrared In haze Photography.
1014 m photographic Treatment of muscular
Hz film. complaints.
Visibl 4×1014 7000n Electron in atoms Human eye It Provides us the information of
e Hz m to emit light when photocells, the world around us.
Light to 400n they move from one photographic It can cause Chemical Reactions.
7×1014 m energy level to a film.
Hz lower energy level.
Ultra- 1016 400n Inner shell Photocells, In food Preservation.
violet Hz m to electrons in atoms photographic In the study of invisible writings,
to 1nm moving from one film. forged documents and finger
17
10 energy level to a prints.
lower level. In the study of molecular
structure.
X- 1016 1nm X-ray tubes or inner Photographic In medical diagnosis.
rays Hz to 10- shell electrons. film, Geiger In the study of crystals structure.
3
to nm tubes, In engineering.
1019 Ionization In detective departments.
chamber. In radio therapies.
Gam 1018 <10-3 Radioactive decay Photographic In radio Therapy.
ma Hz to nm of the nucleus. film, Geiger In manufacture of polyethylene
rays 1022 tubes, from ethylene.
Hz Ionization To initiate some nuclear
Chamber reactions.
To preserve food stuff.

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 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1 To dissociate an oxygen molecule into two oxygen atoms 5eV of energy is required. The minimum
frequency of the appropriate electromagnetic radiation to achieve the dissociation lies in
(a) visible region. (b) infrared region. (c) ultraviolet region. (d) microwave region.
Q2: The given diagram exhibits the relationship between the
wavelength of electromagnetic waves and the energy of photon
associated with them. The three points P,Q and R marked on the
diagram may correspond respectively to:
a)X-rays, microwaves, UV radiation
b) X-rays, UV radiation, microwaves
c)UV radiation, microwaves, X-rays
d) microwaves, UV radiation, X-rays
Q3 Which one of the following correctly represents the change in wave characteristics (all in vacuum) from
microwaves to X rays in electromagnetic spectrum?
Speed Wavelength Frequency
a) Remains same Decreases Remains same
b) Remains same Decreases Increases
c) Increases Increases Decreases
d) Remains same Decreases Remains same
Q4 X rays are more harmful to human beings than ultraviolet radiations because X-rays:
a) Have frequency lower than that of ultraviolet radiations
b) Have wavelength smaller than that of ultraviolet radiations
c) Move faster than ultraviolet radiations in air
d) Are mechanical waves but ultraviolet radiations are electromagnetic waves
Q5 Displacement current exists only when
a) electric field is changing b) magnetic field is changing
c) electric field is constant d) magnetic field is constant
Q6 A welder wears special glasses to protect his eyes mostly from the harmful effect of
a) high intensity visible light b) infrared radiations
c) ultraviolet radiations d) radio waves
Q7 An electromagnetic wave of frequency 3kHz is passing from vacuum to glass. The ratio of their frequency
in vacuum and in glass is:
a) 3:1 b) 1:3 c) 1:4 d) 1:1
Q8 Which of the following electromagnetic waves has the highest momentum for a given energy?
a) Radio waves b) Microwaves c) Infrared rays d) Gamma rays
Q9 The source of an electromagnetic wave is always associated with:
a) A moving electric charge only b) An accelerating electric charge
c) A stationary electric charge d) A constant magnetic field
Q10 The ratio of the amplitudes of electric and magnetic fields in free space is equal to:
(c is the speed of light in vacuum)
a) 1 b) c c) 1/c2 d) 1/c
SOLUTIONS:
1) C Solution: E=h𝜈 , E=5 e V , so 𝜈 = 1.2x 1015 Hz , so UV range
2) B X-rays , Micro and UV as wavelength decreases in this order
3) B In vacuum , speed remains the same and going from Micro to X rays frequency increase and wavelength
decreases
4) B wavelength of X is smaller than UV

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 𝑑𝜑𝐸
5) A displacement current is 𝜀0 ( 𝑑𝑡
) so it exists only if electric field is changing
6) C During welding, a high-intensity electric arc is generated, which emits a large amount of ultraviolet rays
7) D Frequency of an electromagnetic wave does not change when it passes from one medium to another so 1:1
8) D because gamma rays has highest frequency so its energy will be the highest.
9) B The source of an electromagnetic wave is always associated with n accelerating electric charge or an
oscillating charge.
10) B speed of light is c=E/B
ASSERTION AND REASON QUESTIONS
For each question, select the correct option:
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b)Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d)Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
[Link] (A): Electromagnetic waves do not require a material medium for their propagation.
Reason (R): Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which are self-
sustaining in vacuum.
[Link] (A): In an electromagnetic wave, the electric and magnetic fields are always perpendicular to
each other.
Reason (R): The directions of electric and magnetic fields in an EM wave are independent of the
direction of wave propagation.
[Link] (A): The speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum is equal to 1/√𝛍𝟎𝛆𝟎
Reason (R): The values of μ0 and ε0 determine the properties of vacuum with respect to magnetic and
electric fields, respectively
[Link] (A): X-rays can be used to detect fractures in bones.
Reason (R): X-rays have controlled penetrating power and are absorbed differently by different tissues.
[Link] (A): Ultraviolet rays are more energetic than infrared rays.
Reason (R): The frequency of ultraviolet rays is greater than that of infrared rays.
[Link] (A): Gamma rays have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Reason (R): Gamma rays have the lowest frequency among all EM waves.
[Link] (A): Microwaves are suitable for radar systems used in aircraft navigation.
Reason (R): Microwaves can penetrate through the ionosphere and reach long distances without
significant attenuation.
Q8Assertion (A): Electromagnetic waves carry both energy and momentum.
Reason (R): The energy and momentum in EM waves are carried by the magnetic field only.
EXERCISE QUESTIONS-SOLUTIONS
1.(a) EM waves are self-propagating due to mutual induction of E and B fields and do not need a medium.
2. (c) The fields are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation they are not
independent.
3. (a) Speed of EM wave in vacuum is derived using these constants.
4. (a) Bones absorb more X-rays than soft tissue, producing contrast.
5. (a) Energy E = h; higher frequency = higher energy.
6. (d) Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency.
7. (a) Microwaves are used in radar as they can travel in the atmosphere and reflect from objects.
8.(c) Energy is shared by both electric and magnetic fields, not just magnetic.
9. (a) IR is emitted due to heat and used for thermal imaging.
10. (d) EM waves are transverse, not longitudinal; E field is perpendicular to propagation.

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 VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 MARKS)
Q1 Why does microwave oven heats up a food item containing water molecules most efficiently?
SOL: Microwave ovens efficiently heat food containing water because microwaves excite the rotational
motion of polar water molecules, and the resulting molecular friction generates heat. Foods with higher
water content heat up faster and more uniformly.
Q2: A variable frequency a.c source is connected to a capacitor. How will the displacement current change
with decrease in frequency?
SOL: Displacement current is directly proportional to frequency. As frequency decreases, the rate of change
of voltage across the capacitor decreases. Therefore, the displacement current also decreases.
𝑑𝜑𝐸
𝜀0 ( ) = 𝑖d
𝑑𝑡
For current in capacitor : Id= C dV/dt
V=Vosin wt, so Id α w and w = 2 πf so Id α f
Q3 The magnetic field of a beam emerging from a filter facing a floodlight is given by B0 = 12 × 10-8 sin (1.20
× 107 z – 3.60 × 1015 t) T. What is the average intensity of the beam?
1 𝐵2 1
Sol: Iav = 2 𝑐 𝑢0 = 2 3 × 108 x (12x10-8)2/ 1.26 x 10-6= 1.71 W/m2
0
Q4 Professor C.V. Raman surprised his students by suspending freely a tiny light ball in a transparent vacuum
chamber by shining a laser beam on it. Which property of EM waves was he exhibiting? Give one more
example of this property.
Sol : EM waves exert radiation pressure. Tails of comets are due to solar radiation.
Q5 How are Infrared waves produced? Why are these waves referred to as heat waves? Give any two uses of
infrared waves.
Sol: Infrared radiations are produced by hot bodies and vibrations of molecules. They are referred to as heat
waves because they are rapidly absorbed by water molecules and increase their thermal energy and heat
them.
Uses: i) dehydration of fruits ii) In green house effect iii) In remote switches
Q6 An E.M. wave, Y1, has a wavelength of 1cm while another e.m. wave, Y2, has a frequency of 1015 Hz.
Name these two types of waves and write one useful application for each.
Sol: Y₁ has a wavelength of 1 cm, which lies in the microwave region.
Y₂ has a frequency of 10¹⁵ Hz, which falls in the ultraviolet (UV) region.
Y₁:Microwave
Application: Used in microwave ovens for cooking food.
Y₂:Ultraviolet (UV)wave
Application: Used for sterilizing medical instruments.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)
1. Electromagnetic waves of wavelengths γ1, γ2 and γ3 are used in radar systems, in water purifiers and in
remote switches of TV, respectively.
Identify the electromagnetic waves, and Write one source of each of them.
Sol: γ₁: Microwaves, γ₂ : Ultraviolet (UV) rays , γ₃: Infrared (IR) rays .
Microwaves: Klystron or magnetron tubes (used in radar and microwave ovens) Ultraviolet rays: Mercury
vapour lamps or sunlight.
Infrared rays: Heated objects or infrared LEDs (used in remote controls)
2. Identify electromagnetic waves which
(i) Are used in radar systems. (ii) Affect a photographic plate. (iii)Are used in surgery.
Write their frequency range.
Sol: Electromagnetic waves used in radar systems is Microwaves, Frequency Range: 109 - 1011 Hz .
Electromagnetic waves that affect a photographic plate is Ultraviolet (UV) rays, Frequency Range: 1015 –

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 1017 Hz Infrared (IR) rays (used in thermal cauterization and healing), or sometimes X-rays in precision
surgery Frequency range: 1012 – 4 x 1014 Hz
3. Identify the following electromagnetic radiations as per the frequencies given below. Write one application
of each. (a) 1020 Hz (b) 109Hz (c) 1011Hz
Sol: a) Gamma Rays : Used in cancer radiotherapy to destroy malignant cells. B) Microwaves. Used in radar
systems and microwave ovens for cooking. C) Used in TV remote controls and thermal imaging.
4. Identify the part of the electromagnetic spectrum which:
(a) Produces heating effect (b) Is absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere,
(c) Is used for studying crystal structure
Sol: a) Infrared radiations. IR waves are absorbed by matter and increase the kinetic energy of particles,
causing a heating effect. b) Ultraviolet (UV) rays . c) X rays
5. Arrange the following electromagnetic waves in the order of their increasing wavelength:
(a) γ-rays (b) Microwaves (c) X-rays (d) radio waves
How are infrared waves produced? What role does infrared radiation play in (i)maintaining the earth’s warmth
and (ii) physical therapy?
Sol: a) Order (increasing wavelength): γ-rays<X-rays<Microwaves<Radio waves
a) Infrared (IR) waves are produced by vibrations and rotations of atoms and molecules in a body. All objects
at a temperature above absolute zero emit IR radiation due to their thermal motion.
b) Maintaining warmth of earth and Physical therapy IR radiation is used in heat lamps and therapeutic devices
to relieve muscle pain, increase blood circulation, and promote healing by penetrating deep into tissues.

6. (a) Which one of the following electromagnetic radiations has least frequency:
UV radiations, X-rays, Microwaves
(b)How do you show that electromagnetic waves carry energy and momentum?
(c) How are electromagnetic waves produced by oscillating charges?
(d)State clearly how a microwave oven works to heat up a food item containing water molecules.
(e) Why are microwaves found useful for the radar systems in aircraft navigation?
Sol: a) Microwaves has least frequency and highest wavelength. Microwaves < UV < X-rays
Produced by klystrons, magnetrons, or Gunn diodes, which generate high-frequency electromagnetic
oscillations.
b. EM waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can exert force on charges, transferring
energy. The energy carried is proportional to the square of the amplitude of electric and magnetic fields.
The force exerted by the EM waves is given by F=p/c.
c) When charges accelerate (e.g., in an alternating current), they produce changing electric fields, A time-
varying electric field creates a time-varying magnetic field, and vice versa. These changing fields propagate
outward as electromagnetic waves.
7. Electromagnetic wave with wavelength
(i) λ1 is used in satellite communication.
(ii) λ2 is used to kill germs in water purifier.
(iii) λ3 is used to detect leakage of oil in underground pipelines.
(iv) λ4 is used to improve visibility in runways during fog and mist conditions.
(a) Identify and name the part of electromagnetic spectrum to which these radiations belong.
(b)Arrange these wavelengths in ascending order of their magnitude.
(c) Write one more application of each.
Sol: λ₁ Satellite communication Microwaves
λ₂ Kill germs in water purifier Ultraviolet (UV) rays
λ₃ Detect leakage in underground pipelines Infrared (IR) rays
λ₄ Improve visibility during fog/mist Radio waves (or Near-IR)

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a) ascending order of wavelength: λ2(UV)<λ3 (IR)< λ1(Microwaves)< λ4 (Radio/Near-IR)
b) Microwaves (λ₁): Used in microwave ovens for cooking food.
Ultraviolet rays (λ₂): Used in sterilizing surgical instruments.
Infrared rays (λ₃): Used in remote controls and thermal imaging.
Radio waves/Near-IR (λ₄): Used in AM/FM radio broadcasting and night vision cameras.
CASE STUDY BASED QUESTIONS
Q1 Maxwell, in 1865, pointed out that when either an electric or a magnetic field is changing with time, a
field of the other kind is induced in adjacent regions of space. From this Maxwell concluded that variation
of electric and magnetic field vectors perpendicular to each other leads to the production of electromagnetic
disturbances which show properties of waves and can travel in space even without any material medium.
These waves are called electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic waves with macroscopic wavelengths were first produced in the laboratory in 1887 by the
German physicist Heinrich Hertz. Seven years after Hertz, Jagdish Chandra Bose, working at Calcutta (now
Kolkata) succeeded in producing and observing electromagnetic waves of much slower wavelength (25mm
to 5mm). At around the same time, Guglielmo Marconi in Italy followed Hertz’s work and succeeded in
transmitting electromagnetic waves over distances of many kilometers.
Electromagnetic waves have a broad frequency range 103Hz to
1022Hz. They can travel with speed of light(c) in vacuum. They
obey the relation c=νλ, where ν is frequency and λ is wavelength.
(i) Which of the following electromagnetic wave in order of
increasing frequency.
(a) Microwaves<Infrared <Ultraviolet < γ-rays
(b)γ-rays < Ultraviolet < Infrared < Microwaves
(c) Ultraviolet < Infrared < Microwave < γ-rays
(d)γ-rays < Microwave < Infrared < Ultraviolet
(ii) Light wave contains
(a) Electromagnetic waves (c) Longitudinal waves
(b)Mechanical Waves (d) magnetic waves
(iii) If we want to produce electromagnetic waves of wavelength 500 km by an oscillating charge the
frequency must be
(a) 600 Hz (b) 500Hz (c) 167Hz (d) 15Hz
(iv) ⃗ ⃗
The angle between 𝐸 and 𝐵 in an electromagnetic wave is
(a) 180o (b) 120o (c) 90o (d) 45o
Q2 Radio waves are produced by the accelerated motion of charges
in conducting wires. Microwaves are produced by special
vacuum tubes. Infrared waves are produced by hot bodies and
molecules also known as heat waves. UV rays are produced by
special lamps and very hot bodies like Sun.
(i) Solar radiation is
(a) transverse electromagnetic wave
(b) longitudinal electromagnetic wave
(c) both longitudinal and transverse electromagnetic waves
(d) None of these
(ii) What is the cause of greenhouse effect?
(a) Infrared rays (b) Ultraviolet rays (c) X-rays (d) Radio waves
(iii) Biological importance of ozone layer is
(a) it stops ultraviolet rays (b) It layer reduces greenhouse effect
(c) it reflects radio waves (d) None of these

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(iv) Earth's atmosphere is richest in
(a) ultraviolet (b) infrared (c) X-rays (d) microwaves
Q3 According to Maxwell, an accelerating charge produces electromagnetic waves. Consider a charge
oscillating harmonically with time. This is an example of an accelerating charge. This charge produces an
oscillating electric field in its neighborhood. This field, in turn, produces an oscillating magnetic field in
its neighborhood. The process continues because the oscillating electric and magnetic fields set as sources
of each other. Hence an electromagnetic wave originates from the oscillating charge. The frequency of the
electromagnetic wave is equal to the frequency of oscillation of the charge. The energy carried by the wave
comes from the source which makes the charge oscillating. An electric dipole is a basic source of
electromagnetic waves. An LC-circuit containing inductance L and capacitance C produces
1
electromagnetic waves of frequency,𝑓 =
2𝜋√𝐿𝐶
(i) Electromagnetic waves are produced by
(a) Accelerated charged particle (b) Charge at rest
(c) Charge in uniform motion (d) None of these.
(ii) Light can travel in vacuum due to its
(a) Transverse nature (b) Electromagnetic nature
(c) Longitudinal nature (d) Both (a) and (c).
(iii) If a source is transmitting electromagnetic waves of frequency 8.2×106 Hz, the wavelength of electro-
magnetic wave transmitted from the source is
(a) 36.6 m (b) 18.8 m (c) 42.8 m (d) 58 m
(iv) (A) Wavelength of infrared radiations as compared to UV radiations is
(a) shorter (b) longer (c) no comparison (d) same
OR
(B) The quantity 1/√μ0 ε0 represents
(a) speed of sound (b) speed of light in vacuum
(c) speed of electromagnetic wave in medium (d) inverse of speed of light in vacuum

Q4
(i). Name the type of radiation that has used in luggage security checks at airports.
(a)γ-rays (b) X-rays (c) Microwaves (d) Infrared rays
(ii). Some γ-rays emitted from a radioactive source has wavelength1.0x [Link] frequency of the γ-rays
(a) 3x 1020Hz (b) 2x 1012 Hz (c) 2.5x 105 Hz (d) 3.3x 1012 Hz
(iii). Why does a microwave oven heat up a food item containing water molecules most efficiently?
(a) Microwaves are heat waves, so always produce heating
(b) Infrared waves produce heating in a microwave oven

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