📘 Investigatory Project on Electromagnetic Waves
and Its Applications
Certificate
This is to certify that Ashutosh, a student of Class XII, has successfully
completed the investigatory project in Physics on the topic
"Electromagnetic Waves and Its Applications" under the guidance of
Mr./Ms. [Teacher's Name] during the academic session 2025–26.
SIGNATURE OF TEACHER
Department of Physics
Army Public School Nehru Road
🙏 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Physics
teacher, Mr./Ms. [Name], for their invaluable guidance and
encouragement throughout the project. I also thank my
friends and family for their constant support.
— Ashutosh
Class XII – CBSE
📌 Introduction
Electromagnetic waves are waves that are formed by the
oscillation of electric and magnetic fields. These waves do
not need any medium to travel and can move through a
vacuum at the speed of light. The electromagnetic
spectrum consists of radio waves, microwaves, infrared,
visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. Each has
various applications in daily life, science, and technology.
🎯 Objective
To understand the nature, production, propagation, and
real-life applications of electromagnetic waves across the
spectrum.
📚 Theory
● Electromagnetic waves are produced when an electric
charge is accelerated.
● They are transverse in nature and consist of electric
and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each
other and to the direction of wave propagation.
● These waves follow Maxwell’s equations and travel at
a constant speed of 3 × 10⁸ m/s in vacuum.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Overview:
Type Wavelen Frequency Common
gth Applications
Radio >1m < 300 MHz Broadcasting,
Waves Communication
Microwav 1 mm – 1 300 MHz – Cooking (Microwave
es m 300 GHz oven), Radar
Infrared 700 nm – 300 GHz – Thermal cameras,
(IR) 1 mm 430 THz Remote controls
Visible 400–700 430–770 Human vision,
Light nm THz Optical fibers
Ultraviolet 10–400 770 THz – Sterilization,
(UV) nm 30 PHz Fluorescent lamps
X-rays 0.01–10 30 PHz – 30 Medical imaging
nm EHz
Gamma < 0.01 > 30 EHz Cancer treatment,
Rays nm Nuclear studies
🧪 Materials Required
● Magnets
● Coil of wire
● Galvanometer or LED
● Radio receiver or FM circuit
● Smartphone with IR sensor
● Microwave oven (for demonstration only)
● Chart paper (for spectrum illustration)
🔬 Procedure / Demonstration
1. Demonstration of Electromagnetic Induction:
● Move a magnet through a coil.
● Observe deflection in the galvanometer or LED
blinking — this shows changing magnetic field
inducing current (EM wave production).
2. Detecting Infrared:
● Use a TV remote and point it toward a smartphone
camera.
● Press a button – a light will appear on screen though
invisible to the eye (IR waves).
3. Receiving Radio Waves:
● Use a small FM receiver to capture signals and
convert them into audio.
● This shows how radio waves are used in
communication.
📊 Observations
● A moving magnet creates a current, confirming EM
wave creation.
● The smartphone camera detects invisible IR waves.
● Radio receiver picks signals even without line-of-sight
— proving wave propagation through air.
🧠 Applications of Electromagnetic Waves
1.Radio Waves
○ Wireless communication (radio, TV, mobile
phones)
○ Air traffic control and navigation systems
2.Microwaves:
○ Cooking food in microwave ovens
○ Satellite communication and radar systems
3.Infrared Waves:
○ Night vision cameras and security
○ Remote control devices
4.Visible Light:
○ Optical instruments like telescopes and
microscopes
○ Photography and human vision
5.Ultraviolet (UV):
○ Water and air sterilization
○ Detecting forged currency
6.X-rays:
○ Medical imaging and CT scans
○ Security checks at airports
7.Gamma Rays:
○ Radiotherapy in cancer treatment
○ Studying nuclear reactions
✅ Conclusion
This investigatory project has helped me understand the
importance and working of electromagnetic waves in
nature and technology. These waves are an integral part
of modern life and science — from medical imaging to
communication, and from cooking food to exploring the
universe. The project deepened my understanding of
wave theory and practical applications, showing how
physics touches our lives every day.
📚 Bibliography
1.NCERT Physics Class XII Textbook
2.Concepts of Physics – H.C. Verma
3.https://www.britannica.com
4.https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/
gallery/EM-spectrum.html
5.Practical Physics Manual – CBSE
