Physics Research Assignment- Electromagnetic Waves 1. Describe electromagnetic waves Electromagnetic (E.

M) waves are transversal waves that have a dual nature which transfer energy over a distance without the need of a medium to propagate. The dual nature of a E.M wave refers to the fact that it both has properties of waves and particles. E.M waves consist of vibrating electric and magnetic fields caused by the vibration of charged particles. These moving charged particles create electric fields surrounding them and as a result of the electric field, a magnetic field is produced that can push, or pull other particles. The movement of the two waves comes from the vibrating charged particles, once the charged particle moves and its magnetic field changes; the changing magnetic field causes the electric field to change. These constantly changing fields cause each other to change producing the overall product of an E.M wave. The electric and magnetic fields propagate against one another in right angles. E.M waves travel through a vacuum at a speed of 3.00 x108m/s. This is known as the speed of light or the constant c. E.M waves can only travel at the speed of c in a vacuum. Through a material medium, E.M waves travel at a speed less than c because as the E.M waves pass through particles in the medium, the particles absorb some of the waves energy before reemitting it back out as a E.M wave but with less energy as it had been absorbed by the particle. This can happen multiple times on an atomic level which can cause all the energy to be absorbed e.g light travelling through the ocean, deep sea contains no light. The speed of E.M waves in a vacuum vary depending on the mediums density. The more dense the medium the slower the speed of E.M waves. The fact that E.M waves do not require a medium to travel through is a property that all E.M waves contain. According to the Kinetic Theory of Matter, particles are always in motion causing charged particles to constantly produce an E.M wave. This constant motion of particles cause the electric and magnetic field components of an E.M wave to always propagate against one another making the E.M able to travel through a vacuum since charged particles in space do not stop moving unless at absolute zero. E.M waves are also unlike mechanical waves which require a medium to travel in. Mechanical waves vibrate surrounding particles to propagate through the medium and since E.M waves do not vibrate surrounding particles, it does not require a medium to travel through.

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2. a) Waves filtered out by atmosphere Name of E.M Wave Gamma Absorbed By Atmosphere? Yes Region where filtered Region E, Ionosphere (80 105km above earths surface) Region E/D, Ionosphere ( 50 105km above earths surface) Region E, Ionosphere (80 105km above earths surface) As light travels further through an atmosphere, loses more energy creating the red colour of sunrise/sunset. Raleigh Scatter Stratosphere (<50km above earths surface) N/A N/A Wavelength (nm) 10-6 10-2

X-Rays

Yes

10-2 10

UV

Partially (absorbed by ozone)

10 400

Visible Light

Partially (During sunrise/sunset, Raleigh Scatter)

400 700

Infrared

Microwave Radio Waves

Partially (Heat still reaches surface of earth, absorbed by CO2) No No

700 1000

1mm 30cm 10cm 1000m

b) Methods of Detection Name of E.M Wave Radio Micro Infrared Visible Light Ultra Violet X-Ray Gamma Ray Methods of Detections Radio receivers connected to aerials Piezoelectric Crystals Photographic Plates, heat sensitive detectors and thermopiles Human Eye, Photographic Plates, photocells Photographic Plates, photocells and photoelectric devices Photographic Plates and Ionisation Chambers Photographic Plates and Bubble Chambers

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3. Problems arising from the limited range of electromagnetic spectrum available for communication Problems that come with using the electromagnetic spectrum for communication technologies are that there is a restriction to the range of frequencies that can be available for use. Each use of frequency restricts a small bandwidth around it since that prevents any possible interference from the communication device. If any frequencies were to be approximately inside these certain restricted bandwidth, the communication would be disturbed and interfered making the original source of communication unable to function at its full potential. These frequency bandwidths are vital for broadcast companies that wish to communicate to an area which can cause intense competition between the companies that aspire for the certain bandwidth that is already limited. Visible light and infrared rays can be used as communication through optic fibres that send information over long distances in a short amount of time due to high wave velocity. These waves are not restricted by the frequencies used because they travel in an enclosed system which will not allow any interference between two frequencies. The problem of using optic fibres lies within the enclosed environment as the rays bounce within the system causing a weakening of the wave as well as penetration, releasing heat from the system itself. Some frequency bandwidths are held onto by the government in case of any national emergency which they can broadcast throughout the nation without any interference from any nearby frequency broadcasts. This could be vital for a nations safety in an emergency as it warns the entire nation of the danger, if any interferences with this broadcast would occur, it may place a family or families in danger. The entire E.M spectrum is also not available for use in communication due to some properties of waves that carry large amounts of energy (gamma, x-ray) is harmful to humans. This restriction of selecting a E.M wave to use removes a large portion of wavelengths that possible could be used if the wave were viable for communications. Radio, micro, infrared rays and visible light contains limited amounts of frequencies and even less when put into certain bandwidths which restrict a large amount of possible frequencies that may be used for broadcast. These complications can be resolved by the further advancement of technology. The technology of modulators can be improved allowing more accuracy within the modulator to receive small bandwidths of frequency allowing more possible room for more uses of the newly vacant bandwidths. This allows the amount of bandwidths to increase but will still limit the amount that we can use to a certain extent. This advancement of technology will take time to create as it is a vital communication process that will not instantly change. Also, by polarising waves, it changes the orientation and patter on the wave, allowing for a unique wave pattern. This diversity can allow for more specialised uses of waves for communication though specialised modulators must be invented specifically for these polarised waves. The complication of the limited frame of E.M waves available for use cannot be approached simply. Gamma and x-rays carry too much energy within its propagation for it to be used safely as communication in everyday human life. Technology does not seem to be advancing fast enough to

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see a near future where we can harness these waves for communication safely. For now, these strong waves must only be used for the specialised uses that are used today. 4. Identify the types of waves involved in the transfer of energy in the following a) Mobile Phone: The main source of power from the transmitting mobile phone comes from potential chemical energy within the batter which transforms into electrical and light energy functioning the phone. When the person wishes the transmitting a message (calling another person), soundwaves must be expelled from the person into the microphone of the transmitting mobile phone. The sound waves are then transformed into electrical signals by the transmitting module of the phone and sent out of the phone as a E.M radio wave. The central mobile exchange station will receive this radio wave and process the information through electrical energy and then releasing it back out as a radio wave again. This is picked up by the receiving mobile phone and transformed into electrical energy, light waves and sound waves. Sound Energy Electrical Radio Electrical Radio Electrical

Sound Energy for standard phone

Light/Sound Energy for mobile phone

b) Television: As the program is being recorded, light and sound waves are recorded and transformed into electrical energy which is then processed by the television station and broadcasted as a radio wave. These radio waves are then broadcasted throughout the area and picked up by the antennae at residential homes. This radio wave containing the broadcast is collected then transformed into light and sound energy from within the television to be broadcasted at home. Light/Sound Energy at studio Electrical Radio Electrical Light/Sound Energy at home

c) Radar: A pulse of several radio wavelengths and dead times after it would be transmitted from the radar transmitter in a certain direction. If this wave were to hit an object, some of the wavelengths would bounce back towards the radar. This radar is then switched to control the receiving component of the radar which will pick up the bounced back signal. The time taken for the wave to leave and return is recorded and the distance of the object can be calculated. The various wavelengths are transformed into electrical energy through the data recorder and displayed as light energy on the display itself. Electrical Radio (pulse) Electrical Light

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5. Define the inverse square law and use it to explain how intensity of E.M radiation varies with distance from the source The inverse square law involving electromagnetic waves is defined as which means that the

intensity of the E.M waves is proportional to the inverse of how far the object is from the source (being the distance d. Intensity of an E.M wave can be defined as the average amount of power transferred over one period of the wave is used. Intensity can be measured in W/m2. This inverse square law states that the further away you are from the source of the E.M wave, the less energy will be transferred onto the receiver. For example, if the receiver was 1m away from the light source, it would be 4 times as intense as the receiver 2m away. This is the case defined in the law, if the receiver was 1m away, I = , but if the receiver was 2m away, then I= being 4 times less than that of a distance of 1m. This concept of the inverse square law can be applied to all sources of electromagnetic waves not just visible light waves.

6. Design and experiment you could use in the science laboratory to investigate the Inverse Square Law. Aim: To investigate the relationship between Intensity of light waves and the distance away from the source. Hypothesis: as the distance increases the intensity of the light source will be reduced greatly Equipment: Light meter, ruler, light globe, dc power supply, 2 wire leads Safety: Do not look directly into light globe as it may shine bright enough to hurt your eyes especially in a dark room. Clear room of any possible furniture that may obstruct pathway.

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Method: 1. Set up as below, making sure the lights are off when finished

2. Using light meter, record amount lux reading from light meter 3. Record results in a table 4. Move away from light from in increments and record readings from light meter for each distance 5. Calculate intensity of light source using the square inverse law 6. Repeat experiment for each distance 3 times Results: Distance away from light source (m) 0.1 (1) 0.1 (2) 0.1 (3) 0.5 (1) 0.5 (2) 0.5 (3) 1(1) 1(2) 1(3) 2(1) 2(2) 2(3) 3(1) 3(2) 3(3) Lux Reading/Intensity (lx)

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Intensity of light globe I n t e n s i t y

1/D2

Making x axis 1/d2 can represent the relationship between the intensity and 1/d2. Bibliography
http://webs.mn.catholic.edu.au/physics/emery/prelim_communication.htm#emspectrum http://academia.hixie.ch/bath/em/home.html

22/06/2013

- 22/06/2013 http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/waves/em.cfm - 23/06/2013

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