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Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula For NEET enables you to understand the concept and solve the numericals effectively. Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula is essential for NEET 2024 and its preparation, get it and practice with MCQs of this topic.
authorImagePraveen Kushwah17 Jan, 2024
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Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula : The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is a fundamental constant denoted by "c," representing the speed of light. With an approximate value of 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second. It is defined by the relationship c = 1/√(ε₀μ₀), where ε₀ is the vacuum permittivity and μ₀ is the vacuum permeability.

If you are aligning your preparation with the NEET 2024 syllabus , the Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula is a key topic to be covered.

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula underscores the relation between electric and magnetic properties of free space, providing a crucial foundation for understanding the behavior and transmission of electromagnetic waves, which include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Here is the list of key Formula of the Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in a Vacuum, you can check and understand the concept.

Wave Number ( )

Represents the spatial frequency of a wave, measured in radians per unit length.

is the wave number. is a mathematical constant (approximately 3.14159). is the wavelength of the wave.

Frequency ( )

Indicates the number of oscillations or cycles a wave completes in one second, measured in hertz (Hz)

is the frequency. is the angular frequency

Speed of the Wave ( )

Describes the distance traveled by a wave per unit time, determined by the product of wavelength and frequency.

is the speed of the wave. is the wavelength. is the frequency

Maxwell’s Equations

Maxwells equation

Elements in Equations

  • E represents the electric field vector.
  • B represents the magnetic field vector.
  • Q_enc is the total enclosed electric charge.
  • ε₀ is the vacuum permittivity.
  • dA is a differential area vector.
  • dl is a differential path vector.
  • Φ_B is the magnetic flux through a surface.
  • Φ_E is the electric flux through a surface.
  • μ₀ is the vacuum permeability.
  • I_enc is the total enclosed current.
  • dt represents the time derivative.

Oscillating electric and magnetic field

Oscillations of electric and magnetic field The electromagnetic spectrum is typically divided into different regions based on the wavelength or frequency of electromagnetic waves. Here's a table that outlines the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum:
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Region Wavelength Range (Approximate) Frequency Range (Approximate) Characteristics
Radio Waves >1 mm - 100 km <300 GHz Used for communication, broadcasting, radar, and navigation.
Microwaves 1 mm - 1 m 300 GHz - 300 MHz Used in microwave ovens, satellite communication, and certain types of radar.
Infrared 1 mm - 700 nm 300 GHz - 430 THz Felt as heat, used in night-vision devices, remote controls, and infrared imaging.
Visible Light 700 nm - 400 nm 430 THz - 750 THz Detectable by the human eye, each color corresponds to a specific wavelength.
Ultraviolet 400 nm - 10 nm 750 THz - 30 PHz Causes sunburn, used in disinfection and certain types of material analysis.
X-rays 10 nm - 0.01 nm 30 PHz - 30 EHz Used in medical imaging, material testing, and security screening.
Gamma Rays < 0.01 nm >30 EHz Generated by nuclear reactions, used in medical imaging and cancer treatment.
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Speed of Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum Formula FAQs

What is the formula for the speed of electromagnetic wave in a vacuum?

The formula for the speed of electromagnetic waves (c) in a vacuum is given by: c = 1/√(ε₀μ₀), where ε₀ is the vacuum permittivity, and μ₀ is the vacuum permeability.

What speed do electromagnetic waves have in a vacuum?

Electromagnetic waves travel at a speed of approximately 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second (c) in a vacuum. This speed is a fundamental constant and is the same for all wavelengths and frequencies.

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum vs air?

The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is the same as in air, given that air is considered a transparent medium for electromagnetic waves. Therefore, the speed of electromagnetic waves remains approximately 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second in both vacuum and air.

What is the formula for the electromagnetic wave?

The general formula describing electromagnetic waves is v = λ * f, where v is the speed of the wave, λ is the wavelength, and f is the frequency. Additionally, the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is given by c = 1/√(ε₀μ₀).

Which waves has the highest speed in vacuum?

All electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays, travel at the same speed in a vacuum. They all propagate at the speed of light (c ≈ 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second), making no distinction based on their specific frequencies or wavelengths.
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