Electromagnetic waves

Definition

Electromagnetic waves are waves made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space without needing any medium. They include visible light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Related terms

Frequency: The number of complete oscillations or cycles of an electromagnetic wave per unit time.

Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive points (such as peaks or troughs) on an electromagnetic wave.

Speed of light: The constant speed at which all electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum, approximately 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second (m/s).