Electromagnetic Wave Equations Learning Guide

St. Agnes Academy, Inc.
Junior High School

Legazpi City
SELF-LEARNING MODULE for STUDENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE EQUATIONS LEARNING GUIDE
READ AND LEARN!
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves can be described by their wavelengths, energy, and

frequency. All three describe a different property of light, yet they are related to each
other mathematically. The two equations below show the relationships:
Equation 1 Equation 2
𝒄 = 𝒇𝝀 𝐄 = 𝐡𝐟
where, where,
f = frequency E = energy
λ = wavelength 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
h = Plank’s constant (6.6256 𝑥10 −34 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑)
c = speed of light (3 𝑥 108 𝑚/𝑠) f = frequency
The wavelength of an electromagnetic wave

is the distance between wave crests. The other
property used to describe every wave is the
wave amplitude which is one-half the height
from the peak of a crest to the lowest point of
the wave. The distance between wave crests
is measured in terms of a micrometer or micron
(unit symbol is µm).
The size of the wavelengths of radiation range

from ultra-long radio waves to high-energy
gamma rays. The amount of energy in the
wave increases as wavelengths get smaller
and tighter.
When radiation is measured using very sensitive instruments at extremely low light levels it is
observed that the energy does not arrive continuously in waves, but rather in small, finite amounts.
This is the particle view of radiation. Particles of light are called photons. Radiation can also be
thought of as a collection of photons, tiny but discrete packets of energy traveling at the speed of
light. Low-energy photons, like radio photons, tend to behave more like waves, while higher energy
photons (i.e. X-rays) behave more like particles. So even though X-rays and Gamma rays are part
of the electromagnetic spectrum, scientists generally refer to them by describing their energies rather
than their wavelengths.
In satellite meteorology, we are concerned with radiant energy with wavelengths between 0.1 and
100 𝜇𝑚. The Sun, for example, emits most of its radiant energy with a wavelength between
0.2 𝑡𝑜 4 𝜇𝑚. Solar energy frequently referred to as shortwave radiation (remember where it is on the
spectrum), includes ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared radiation.
Source: https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satmet/modules/3_em_radiation/emr-3.html
LET’S CALCULATE
After learning about electromagnetic waves and their properties, we will now test you on
your knowledge. You were introduced to two very popular equations concerning
electromagnetic energy: the speed of light and the energy emitted from photons. Using
these equations, you will solve basic electromagnetic problems:
Sample Problem 1: What is the frequency of the radio waves with a wavelength of 20 m?
Given: Required: 𝑓 =?
𝑐 = 3 𝑥 108 𝑚/𝑠
𝜆 = 20 𝑚
Formula: 𝑐 = 𝑓𝜆
𝑐 𝑓𝜆 𝑐
𝐷𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓, = → 𝑓=𝜆
𝜆 𝜆
Solution:
3 𝑥 108 𝑚/𝑠
𝑓= → 𝑓 = 1.5𝑥107 𝑠 −1 𝑜𝑟 1.5𝑥107 𝐻𝑧
20 𝑚
1
Take note that after canceling the unit meter (m), the unit second (s) is in the denominator which
𝑠
can be expressed as 𝒔−𝟏 or Hertz (Hz).
Final Answer:
Therefore, the frequency of a wavelength of 20 m is 1.5𝑥107 𝑠 −1 𝑜𝑟 1.5𝑥107 𝐻𝑧

Sample Problem 2: A ray, emitted from the sun, is shining through your kitchen window into a prism.
The prism then casts a rainbow on the windowsill. You just so happen to have a hand-held radiometer
handy; closing your eyes you place the instrument on a specific color of the rainbow. You then open
your eyes to see that the radiometer measured the energy from that color at 3.06𝑥10 −19 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠. Given
𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
Plank's constant of 6.6256 𝑥10 −34 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑, what possible color did the radiometer measure? Use the
table below to identify the color.
Source: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-1e1b00a68b5ce3875c364cc0b3eae055
Given: Required: 𝑓 =?
−34 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
ℎ = 6.6256 𝑥10
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑
𝐸 = 3.06𝑥10 −19 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
Formula:
𝐸 = ℎ𝑓, 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2
𝐸 ℎ𝑓 𝐸
𝐷𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓, = → 𝑓=
ℎ ℎ ℎ
Solution:
3.06𝑥10 −19 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
𝒂) 𝑓 = → 𝑓 = 𝟒. 𝟔𝟐𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟒 𝒔−𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝟒. 𝟔𝟐𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟒 𝑯𝒛
𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
6.6256 𝑥10 −34
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑
Since the unit of the frequency in the table above is in THz (TeraHertz), we need to convert our
unit Hz to THz, see the solution below.
Conversion Factor: 1 𝑇𝑒𝑟𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑧 = 1𝑥1012 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑧

Solution:
1 𝑇𝑒𝑟𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑧
(4.62𝑥1014 𝐻𝑧) ( ) = 𝟒𝟔𝟐 𝑻𝑯𝒛
1𝑥1012 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑧
Therefore, the color of the light is red since it falls within the range of 400-484 THz.
b) Another way of determining the type of color is to find the wavelength using the frequency found
above.
Using Equation 1, 𝑐 = 𝑓𝜆, we derived the wavelength (𝜆), as shown below.

𝑐 𝑓𝜆 𝑐
= → 𝜆=
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓
Solving for the wavelength,
3 𝑥 108 𝑚/𝑠
𝜆= 14
= 6.49𝑥10−7 𝑚
4.62𝑥10 𝑠
Since the unit of the wavelength in the table above is in nm (nanometer), we need to convert our
unit m to nm, see the solution below.
Conversion Factor: 1 𝑚 = 1𝑥109 𝑛𝑚

Solution:
1𝑥109 𝑛𝑚
(6.49𝑥10−7 𝑚) ( ) = 𝟔𝟒𝟗 𝐧𝐦
1𝑚
If we take a look at the table above, 649 nm falls within the range of 620-750 nm which means
the color of the light is red.
Final Answer:
𝑓 = 4.62𝑥1014 𝑠 −1 𝑜𝑟 4.62𝑥1014 𝐻𝑧 = 𝟒𝟔𝟐 𝑻𝑯𝒛 (red light, 400 − 484 THz.

𝜆 = 6.49𝑥10−7 𝑚 = 𝟔𝟒𝟗 𝐧𝐦 (red light, 620 − 750 nm)

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St. Agnes Academy, Inc.

Junior High School

SELF-LEARNING MODULE for STUDENTS

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE EQUATIONS LEARNING GUIDE

READ AND LEARN!

Electromagnetic waves can be described by their wavelengths, energy, and

The wavelength of an electromagnetic wave

The size of the wavelengths of radiation range

Therefore, the frequency of a wavelength of 20 m is 1.5𝑥107 𝑠 −1 𝑜𝑟 1.5𝑥107 𝐻𝑧

Conversion Factor: 1 𝑇𝑒𝑟𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑧 = 1𝑥1012 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑧

Using Equation 1, 𝑐 = 𝑓𝜆, we derived the wavelength (𝜆), as shown below.

Conversion Factor: 1 𝑚 = 1𝑥109 𝑛𝑚

𝑓 = 4.62𝑥1014 𝑠 −1 𝑜𝑟 4.62𝑥1014 𝐻𝑧 = 𝟒𝟔𝟐 𝑻𝑯𝒛 (red light, 400 − 484 THz.

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