A question on wave nature of EM radiation

In summary, the frequency, distance, speed, and time of electromagnetic radiation are related through the speed of light (c) and the wavelength (λ) and frequency (ν) of the radiation. The time required for the radiation to travel a given distance can be calculated by dividing the distance by the speed of light, and the relationship between frequency and wavelength is described by c = λν. However, the specific time required for the radiation to travel the given distance depends on the medium it is traveling through.
  • #1
SpaceExplorer
25
0
There is a EM radiation of frequency suppose x Hz.Let it has to travel a distance of y m.Now what's the time required for the radiation to travel the distance?The question seems to be very easy, but my confusion is in how can the frequency,distance,speed and time can be related? Can someone give the relation along with the answer?
 
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  • #2
v == c
s = ct
f = c / wavelength

Wavelength and frequency have nothing to do with the distance the light travels or the time it takes to get there. The frequency describes the oscillation of the electromagnetic field over time. The "wavelength" of the light is not the physical size of the photon but the distance the photon travels in going through one complete EM cycle.

Imagine a little blob of light moving in a straight line quickly oscillating from red to black to blue to black to red and so forth as it moves. The red and the blue represent the oscillations of the EM field. The wavelength is the distance the blob travels while doing a complete red/blue cycle.
 
  • #3
hi
electromagnetic radiation speed is c i.e speed of light which is 3.0 x 10 ^8 m/s in air
It does not change except if it is traveling in a different medium
So divide distance y by c , you get the time t
 
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  • #4
SpaceExplorer said:
There is a EM radiation of frequency suppose x Hz.Let it has to travel a distance of y m.Now what's the time required for the radiation to travel the distance?The question seems to be very easy, but my confusion is in how can the frequency,distance,speed and time can be related? Can someone give the relation along with the answer?

As others have written, there's a clean relationship between the frequency, wavelength and speed (c = [tex]\lambda\nu[/tex]). Confusion usually comes in when trying to understand this in terms of quantum mechanics, specifically the photon picture and the idea of refeactive index.

For your question, since you did not give a medium, the answer can't be given. But the general answer is t= c/n *y. Again, sources of confusion exist here, in terms of phase vs. group velocity. But, since you are assuming monochromatic light, there shouldn't be any issues.
 

What is the wave nature of electromagnetic radiation?

The wave nature of electromagnetic radiation refers to the fact that it can behave like a wave, with properties such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. This behavior is explained by the electromagnetic theory, which states that electromagnetic radiation is composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.

How is the wave nature of electromagnetic radiation different from its particle nature?

Electromagnetic radiation has both wave and particle nature, known as wave-particle duality. The wave nature refers to its behavior as a wave, while the particle nature refers to its behavior as discrete packets of energy called photons. This duality is one of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics.

What evidence supports the wave nature of electromagnetic radiation?

There are several pieces of evidence that support the wave nature of electromagnetic radiation. One of the most significant is the phenomenon of interference, where two waves combine to form a new wave with a different amplitude. This behavior is observed in electromagnetic radiation, indicating its wave-like nature.

What is the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic radiation?

The wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic radiation are inversely proportional. This means that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency.

How does the wave nature of electromagnetic radiation explain phenomena such as diffraction and refraction?

The wave nature of electromagnetic radiation explains these phenomena as the result of the bending of the waves as they pass through different mediums or around obstacles. This behavior is similar to the way water waves bend when passing through a small opening or around a barrier. Diffraction and refraction are evidence of the wave-like behavior of electromagnetic radiation.

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