Which property of an electromagnetic wave, depends on the medium in wh...
The frequency, wavelength and time period can all vary according to the wave producing source. But, the velocity of an electromagnetic wave depends upon the medium through which it is travelling. The velocity of a wave in a vacuum is termed as speed of light, which is assumed to be 3 x 108 m/s.
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Which property of an electromagnetic wave, depends on the medium in wh...
Velocity of an Electromagnetic Wave
An electromagnetic wave is a transverse wave that consists of electric and magnetic field components oscillating perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation. The velocity of an electromagnetic wave in a medium is a property that depends on the medium in which it is traveling.
Explanation
- The velocity of an electromagnetic wave in a vacuum is constant and is denoted by the symbol 'c', which is approximately equal to 3 x 10^8 m/s. This speed is the fastest speed at which any form of energy can travel in a vacuum.
- When an electromagnetic wave travels through a medium other than a vacuum, such as air, water, or glass, its velocity changes. The speed of light in a medium is typically less than its speed in a vacuum due to interactions with the atoms and molecules of the medium.
- The velocity of an electromagnetic wave in a medium is determined by the properties of the medium, such as its refractive index. The refractive index of a medium is a measure of how much the speed of light is reduced when it passes through the medium.
- The relationship between the velocity of light in a medium (v), the speed of light in a vacuum (c), and the refractive index of the medium (n) is given by the equation v = c/n.
- Therefore, the velocity of an electromagnetic wave, which is a fundamental property of the wave, depends on the medium through which it is traveling.
In conclusion, the velocity of an electromagnetic wave is a property that depends on the medium in which it is traveling, making it a key factor in understanding the behavior of light and other electromagnetic waves in different substances.