Frequency & Wavelenght of EM wave

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic (EM) waves, clarifying misconceptions about their propagation. It establishes that the frequency of an EM wave corresponds to the variations in the electric and magnetic fields, similar to alternating current (AC) voltage. The wavelength is defined as the spatial periodicity of the wave, measured by the distance between peaks, which can be observed using tools like antenna probes to detect the electromagnetic field's force on a test charge.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic fields
  • Familiarity with alternating current (AC) voltage concepts
  • Knowledge of wave properties, including frequency and wavelength
  • Experience with antenna probes for measuring electromagnetic fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electromagnetic field theory
  • Learn about the relationship between frequency and wavelength in EM waves
  • Explore the use of antenna probes in measuring electromagnetic fields
  • Study the mathematical representation of wave propagation
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Students, educators, and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and anyone interested in understanding the properties and measurement of electromagnetic waves.

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Frequency & wavelength of EM wave!

Hi..on some other thread i found this link showing animation of propagation EM wave:

http://www.molphys.leidenuniv.nl/monos/smo/index.html?basics/light_anim.htm

it has cleared my one doubt, because i used to think that EM wave is like an invisible line in air which moves up and down like sinusoidal manner. But it actually a variation in electromagnetic field.

But then my question is:
the frequency of the EM wave is the frequency of electric & magnetic field variation( as AC voltage)?
and how wavelength is measured since there is no(physical) peaks to measure distance between?
 
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The electromagnetic field is a force field. We can directly observe it by measuring the resulting force acting on a test charge. How this is done can vary. For example, an easy method is to use an antenna probe. In such a way we can easily probe the electromagnetic field in both time and space to find the peaks and thus we can easily see that the wavelength and frequency are both physical properties of an electromagnetic wave. The wavelength determines the spatial periodicity of the wave, like the peak to peak distance. The frequency determines the temporal periodicity of the wave, like the time between a peak to peak observation.
 

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