1.00 nF for two values of R: (i) R = 100 W and (ii) R = 200 W. For the source applied vm = 1 100 V. w0 for this case is = 1.00×106 LC FIGURE 7.14 Variation of im with w for tworad/s. cases: (i) R = 100 W, (ii) R = 200 W, We see that the current amplitude is L = 1.00 mH. maximum at the resonant frequency. Since im = vm / R at resonance, the current amplitude for case (i) is twice to that for case (ii). Resonant circuits have a variety of applications, for example, in the tuning mechanism of a radio or a TV set. The antenna of a radio accepts signals from many broadcasting stations. The signals picked up in the antenna acts as a source in the tuning circuit of the radio, so the circuit can be driven at many frequencies. But to hear one particular radio station, we tune the radio. In tuning, we vary the capacitance of a capacitor in the tuning circuit such that the resonant frequency of the circuit becomes nearly equal to the frequency of the radio signal received. When this happens, the amplitude of the current with the frequency of the signal of the particular radio station in the circuit is maximum. It is important to note that resonance phenomenon is exhibited by a circuit only if both L and C are present in the circuit. Only then do the voltages across L and C cancel each other (both being out of phase) and the current amplitude is vm/R, the total source voltage appearing across R. This means that we cannot have resonance in a RL or RC circuit. 189 Reprint 2025-26 Physics Example 7.6 A resistor of 200 W and a capacitor of 15.0 mF are connected in series to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac source. (a) Calculate the current in the circuit; (b) Calculate the voltage (rms) across the resistor and the capacitor. Is the algebraic sum of these voltages more than the source voltage? If yes, resolve the paradox. Solution Given R = 200 Ω, C = 15.0 µF = 15.0 × 10 −6 F V = 220 V, ν = 50Hz (a) In order to calculate the current, we need the impedance of the circuit. It is Z = R 2 + X C2 = R 2 + (2πνC )− 2 = (200 Ω )2 + (2 × 3.14 × 50 × 15.0 × 10 −6 F )−2 = (200 Ω )2 + (212.3 Ω )2 = 291.67 Ω Therefore, the current in the circuit is V 220 V I = = = 0.755 A Z 291.5 Ω (b) Since the current is the same throughout the circuit, we have V R = I R = (0.755 A)(200 Ω=) 151V VC = I X C = (0.755 A)(212.3 Ω=) 160.3 V The algebraic sum of the two voltages, VR and VC is 311.3 V which is more than the source voltage of 220 V. How to resolve this paradox? As you have learnt in the text, the two voltages are not in the same phase. Therefore, they cannot be added like ordinary numbers. The two voltages are out of phase by ninety degrees. Therefore, the total of these voltages must be obtained using the Pythagorean theorem: V R +C = V R2 + VC2 7.6 = 220 V Thus, if the phase difference between two voltages is properly taken into account, the total voltage across the resistor and the capacitor EXAMPLE is equal to the voltage of the source. 7.7 POWER IN AC CIRCUIT: THE POWER FACTOR We have seen that a voltage v = vm sinwt applied to a series RLC circuit drives a current in the circuit given by i = im sin(wt + f) where v m − 1  X C − X L  i m = Z and φ = tan  R  190 Therefore, the instantaneous power p supplied by the source is Reprint 2025-26 Alternating Current p = v i = (v m sin ωt ) × [ i m sin(ωt + φ)] v m i m = [ cosφ− cos(2ωt + φ)] (7.29) 2 The average power over a cycle is given by the average of the two terms in R.H.S. of Eq. (7.29). It is only the second term which is time-dependent. Its average is zero (the positive half of the cosine cancels the negative half). Therefore, v m i m v m i m P = cos φ = cos φ 2 2 2 = V I cos φ [7.30(a)] This can also be written as, P = I 2 Z cos φ [7.30(b)] So, the average power dissipated depends not only on the voltage and current but also on the cosine of the phase angle φ between them. The quantity cosφ is called the power factor. Let us discuss the following cases: CaseCaseCaseCaseCase (i)(i)(i)(i)(i) Resistive circuit: If the circuit contains only pure R, it is called resistive. In that case φ = 0, cos φ = 1. There is maximum power dissipation. CaseCaseCaseCaseCase (ii)(ii)(ii)(ii)(ii) Purely inductive or capacitive circuit: If the circuit contains only an inductor or capacitor, we know that the phase difference between voltage and current is π/2. Therefore, cos φ = 0, and no power is dissipated even though a current is flowing in the circuit. This current is sometimes referred to as wattless current. CaseCaseCaseCaseCase (iii)(iii)(iii)(iii)(iii) LCR series circuit: In an LCR series circuit, power dissipated is given by Eq. (7.30) where φ = tan–1 (Xc – XL )/ R. So, φ may be non-zero in a RL or RC or RCL circuit. Even in such cases, power is dissipated only in the resistor. CaseCaseCaseCaseCase (iv)(iv)(iv)(iv)(iv) Power dissipated at resonance in LCR circuit: At resonance Xc – XL= 0, and φ = 0. Therefore, cosφ = 1 and P = I2Z = I2 R. That is, maximum power is dissipated in a circuit (through R) at resonance. ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 7.77.77.77.77.7 (a) For circuits used for transporting electric power, a low power factor implies large power loss in transmission. Explain. (b) Power factor can often be improved by the use of a capacitor of appropriate capacitance in the circuit. Explain. SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution (a) We know that P = I V cosφ where cosφ is the power factor. To supply a given power at a given voltage, if cosφ is small, we have to increase current accordingly. But this will lead to large power loss (I2R) in transmission. EEEE (b)Suppose in a circuit, current I lags the voltage by an angle φ. Then power factor cosφ =R/Z. EXAMPLEXAMPLEXAMPLEXAMPLEXAMPLE We can improve the power factor (tending to 1) by making Z tend to 7.77.77.77.77.7 us understand, with the help of a phasor diagram (Fig. 7.15) R. Let 191 Reprint 2025-26 Physics FIGURE 7.15 how this can be achieved. Let us resolve I into two components. Ip along the applied voltage V and Iq perpendicular to the applied voltage. Iq as you have learnt in Section 7.7, is called the wattless component since corresponding to this component of current, there is no power loss. IP is known as the power component because it is in phase with the voltage and corresponds to power loss in the circuit. It’s clear from this analysis that if we want to improve power factor, 7.7 we must completely neutralize the lagging wattless current Iq by an equal leading wattless current I¢q. This can be done by connecting a capacitor of appropriate value in parallel so that Iq and I¢q cancel EXAMPLE each other and P is effectively Ip V. Example 7.8 A sinusoidal voltage of peak value 283 V and frequency 50 Hz is applied to a series LCR circuit in which R = 3 W, L = 25.48 mH, and C = 796 mF. Find (a) the impedance of the circuit; (b) the phase difference between the voltage across the source and the current; (c) the power dissipated in the circuit; and (d) the power factor. Solution (a) To find the impedance of the circuit, we first calculate XL and XC. XL = 2 pnL = 2 × 3.14 × 50 × 25.48 × 10–3 W = 8 W 1 X C = 2 π νC 1 = 6 = 4 Ω 2 × 3.14 × 50 × 796 × 10− Therefore, Z = R 2 + ( X L − X C )2 = 3 2 + (8 − 4)2 = 5 W X C − X L 7.8 (b) Phase difference, f = tan–1 R −1  4 − 8  EXAMPLE = tan  3 = −53. 1°192 Reprint 2025-26 Alternating Current Since f is negative, the current in the circuit lags the voltage across the source. (c) The power dissipated in the circuit is P = I 2 R im 1  283  = Now, I = 2 2  5 = 40A EXAMPLE Therefore, P = (40 A )2 × 3 Ω= 4800 W (d) Power factor = cos cos –53.1 0.6 7.8 Example 7.9 Suppose the frequency of the source in the previous example can be varied. (a) What is the frequency of the source at which resonance occurs? (b) Calculate the impedance, the current, and the power dissipated at the resonant condition. Solution (a) The frequency at which the resonance occurs is 1 1 ω0 = = LC 25.48 × 10 −3 × 796 × 10 −6 = 222.1rad/s ω0 221.1 νr = = Hz = 35.4Hz 2 π 2 × 3.14 (b) The impedance Z at resonant condition is equal to the resistance: Z = R = 3 Ω The rms current at resonance is V V  283  1 = = = = 66.7 A Z R  2  3 The power dissipated at resonance is P = I 2 × R = (66.7)2 × 3 = 13.35 kW EXAMPLE You can see that in the present case, power dissipated at resonance is more than the power dissipated in Example 7.8. 7.9 Example 7.10 At an airport, a person is made to walk through the doorway of a metal detector, for security reasons. If she/he is carrying anything made of metal, the metal detector emits a sound. On what principle does this detector work? Solution The metal detector works on the principle of resonance in ac circuits. When you walk through a metal detector, you are, in fact, walking through a coil of many turns. The coil is connected to a capacitor tuned so that the circuit is in resonance. When you walk through with metal in your pocket, the impedance of the EXAMPLE circuit changes – resulting in significant change in current in the circuit. This change in current is detected and the electronic circuitry causes a sound to be emitted as an alarm. 7.10 193 Reprint 2025-26 Physics 7.8 TRANSFORMERS For many purposes, it is necessary to change (or transform) an alternating voltage from one to another of greater or smaller value. This is done with a device called transformer using the principle of mutual induction. A transformer consists of two sets of coils, insulated from each other. They are wound on a soft-iron core, either one on top of the other as in Fig. 7.16(a) or on separate limbs of the core as in Fig. 7.16(b). One of the coils called the primary coil has Np turns. The other coil is called the secondary coil; it has Ns turns. Often the primary coil is the input coil and the secondary coil is the output coil of the transformer. FIGURE 7.16 Two arrangements for winding of primary and secondary coil in a transformer: (a) two coils on top of each other, (b) two coils on separate limbs of the core. When an alternating voltage is applied to the primary, the resulting current produces an alternating magnetic flux which links the secondary and induces an emf in it. The value of this emf depends on the number of turns in the secondary. We consider an ideal transformer in which the primary has negligible resistance and all the flux in the core links both primary and secondary windings. Let f be the flux in each turn in the core at time t due to current in the primary when a voltage vp is applied to it. Then the induced emf or voltage es, in the secondary with Ns turns is dφ εs = − N s (7.31) d t The alternating flux f also induces an emf, called back emf in the primary. This is dφ εp = − N p (7.32) d t But ep = vp. If this were not so, the primary current would be infinite since the primary has zero resistance (as assumed). If the secondary is an open circuit or the current taken from it is small, then to a good approximation es = vs Reprint 2025-26 Alternating Current where vs is the voltage across the secondary. Therefore, Eqs. (7.31) and (7.32) can be written as dφ v s = − N s [7.31(a)] d t dφ v p = − N p [7.32(a)] d t From Eqs. [7.31 (a)] and [7.32 (a)], we have v s N s = (7.33) v p N p Note that the above relation has been obtained using three assumptions: (i) the primary resistance and current are small; (ii) the same flux links both the primary and the secondary as very little flux escapes from the core, and (iii) the secondary current is small. If the transformer is assumed to be 100% efficient (no energy losses), the power input is equal to the power output, and since p = i v, ipvp = isvs (7.34) Although some energy is always lost, this is a good approximation, since a well designed transformer may have an efficiency of more than 95%. Combining Eqs. (7.33) and (7.34), we have i p v s N s = = (7.35) i s v p N p Since i and v both oscillate with the same frequency as the ac source, Eq. (7.35) also gives the ratio of the amplitudes or rms values of corresponding quantities. Now, we can see how a transformer affects the voltage and current. We have:  N s   N p  Vs = V p and I s = I p (7.36)  N p   N s  That is, if the secondary coil has a greater number of turns than the primary (Ns > Np), the voltage is stepped up (Vs > Vp). This type of arrangement is called a step-up transformer. However, in this arrangement, there is less current in the secondary than in the primary (Np/Ns < 1 and Is < Ip). For example, if the primary coil of a transformer has 100 turns and the secondary has 200 turns, Ns/Np = 2 and Np/Ns=1/2. Thus, a 220V input at 10A will step-up to 440 V output at 5.0 A. If the secondary coil has less turns than the primary (Ns < Np), we have a step-down transformer. In this case, Vs < Vp and Is > Ip. That is, the voltage is stepped down, or reduced, and the current is increased. The equations obtained above apply to ideal transformers (without any energy losses). But in actual transformers, small energy losses do occur due to the following reasons: (i) Flux Leakage: There is always some flux leakage; that is, not all of the flux due to primary passes through the secondary due to poor 195 Reprint 2025-26 Physics design of the core or the air gaps in the core. It can be reduced by winding the primary and secondary coils one over the other. (ii) Resistance of the windings: The wire used for the windings has some resistance and so, energy is lost due to heat produced in the wire (I 2R). In high current, low voltage windings, these are minimised by using thick wire. (iii) Eddy currents: The alternating magnetic flux induces eddy currents in the iron core and causes heating. The effect is reduced by using a laminated core. (iv) Hysteresis: The magnetisation of the core is repeatedly reversed by the alternating magnetic field. The resulting expenditure of energy in the core appears as heat and is kept to a minimum by using a magnetic material which has a low hysteresis loss. The large scale transmission and distribution of electrical energy over long distances is done with the use of transformers. The voltage output of the generator is stepped-up (so that current is reduced and consequently, the I 2R loss is cut down). It is then transmitted over long distances to an area sub-station near the consumers. There the voltage is stepped down. It is further stepped down at distributing sub-stations and utility poles before a power supply of 240 V reaches our homes. SUMMARY 1. An alternating voltage v = v m sin ω t applied to a resistor R drives a v m current i = im sinwt in the resistor, i m = . The current is in phase with R the applied voltage. 2. For an alternating current i = im sin wt passing through a resistor R, the average power loss P (averaged over a cycle) due to joule heating is ( 1/2 )i 2mR. To express it in the same form as the dc power (P = I 2R), a special value of current is used. It is called root mean square (rms) current and is donoted by I: i m I = = 0.707 i m 2 Similarly, the rms voltage is defined by vm V = = 0.707 v m 2 We have P = IV = I 2R 3. An ac voltage v = vm sin wt applied to a pure inductor L, drives a current in the inductor i = im sin (wt – p/2), where im = vm/XL. XL = wL is called inductive reactance. The current in the inductor lags the voltage by p/2. The average power supplied to an inductor over one complete cycle is zero. Reprint 2025-26 Alternating Current 4. An ac voltage v = vm sinwt applied to a capacitor drives a current in the capacitor: i = im sin (wt + p/2). Here, v m 1 i m = , X C = is called capacitive reactance. X C ωC The current through the capacitor is p/2 ahead of the applied voltage. As in the case of inductor, the average power supplied to a capacitor over one complete cycle is zero. 5. For a series RLC circuit driven by voltage v = vm sin wt, the current is given by i = im sin (wt + f) v m where i m = R 2 + ( X C − X L )2 −1 X C − X L and φ = tan R is called the impedance of the circuit. Z = R 2 + ( X C − X L )2 The average power loss over a complete cycle is given by P = V I cosf The term cosf is called the power factor. 6. In a purely inductive or capacitive circuit, cosf = 0 and no power is dissipated even though a current is flowing in the circuit. In such cases, current is referred to as a wattless current. 7. The phase relationship between current and voltage in an ac circuit can be shown conveniently by representing voltage and current by rotating vectors called phasors. A phasor is a vector which rotates about the origin with angular speed w. The magnitude of a phasor represents the amplitude or peak value of the quantity (voltage or current) represented by the phasor. The analysis of an ac circuit is facilitated by the use of a phasor diagram. 8. A transformer consists of an iron core on which are bound a primary coil of Np turns and a secondary coil of Ns turns. If the primary coil is connected to an ac source, the primary and secondary voltages are related by  N s  Vs =  N p  V p and the currents are related by  N p  Is = I p  N s  If the secondary coil has a greater number of turns than the primary, the voltage is stepped-up (Vs > Vp). This type of arrangement is called a step- up transformer. If the secondary coil has turns less than the primary, we have a step-down transformer. 197 Reprint 2025-26 Physics Physical quantity Symbol Dimensions Unit Remarks 2 –3 v m rms voltage V [M L T A –1] V V = , v m is the 2 amplitude of the ac voltage. i m rms current I [ A] A I = , im is the amplitude of 2 the ac current. Reactance: Inductive XL [M L2 T –3 A–2] XL = L Capacitive XC [M L2 T –3 A–2] XC = 1/C Impedance Z [M L2 T –3 A–2] Depends on elements present in the circuit. 1 Resonant wr or w0 [T –1] Hz w0  for a frequency LC series RLC circuit ω0 L 1 Quality factor Q Dimensionless Q = = for a series R ω0 C R RLC circuit. Power factor Dimensionless = cosf, f is the phase difference between voltage applied and current in the circuit. POINTS TO PONDER 1. When a value is given for ac voltage or current, it is ordinarily the rms value. The voltage across the terminals of an outlet in your room is normally 240 V. This refers to the rms value of the voltage. The amplitude of this voltage is v m = 2V = 2(240) = 340 V 2. The power rating of an element used in ac circuits refers to its average power rating. 3. The power consumed in an ac circuit is never negative. 4. Both alternating current and direct current are measured in amperes. But how is the ampere defined for an alternating current? It cannot be derived from the mutual attraction of two parallel wires carrying ac 198 currents, as the dc ampere is derived. An ac current changes direction Reprint 2025-26 Alternating Current with the source frequency and the attractive force would average to zero. Thus, the ac ampere must be defined in terms of some property that is independent of the direction of the current. Joule heating is such a property, and there is one ampere of rms value of alternating current in a circuit if the current produces the same average heating effect as one ampere of dc current would produce under the same conditions. 5. In an ac circuit, while adding voltages across different elements, one should take care of their phases properly. For example, if VR and VC are voltages across R and C, respectively in an RC circuit, then the total voltage across RC combination is V RC = VR2 + VC2 and not VR + VC since VC is p/2 out of phase of VR. 6. Though in a phasor diagram, voltage and current are represented by vectors, these quantities are not really vectors themselves. They are scalar quantities. It so happens that the amplitudes and phases of harmonically varying scalars combine mathematically in the same way as do the projections of rotating vectors of corresponding magnitudes and directions. The ‘rotating vectors’ that represent harmonically varying scalar quantities are introduced only to provide us with a simple way of adding these quantities using a rule that we already know as the law of vector addition. 7. There are no power losses associated with pure capacitances and pure inductances in an ac circuit. The only element that dissipates energy in an ac circuit is the resistive element. 8. In a RLC circuit, resonance phenomenon occur when XL = XC or 1 ω0 = . For resonance to occur, the presence of both L and C LC elements in the circuit is a must. With only one of these (L or C ) elements, there is no possibility of voltage cancellation and hence, no resonance is possible. 9. The power factor in a RLC circuit is a measure of how close the circuit is to expending the maximum power. 10. In generators and motors, the roles of input and output are reversed. In a motor, electric energy is the input and mechanical energy is the output. In a generator, mechanical energy is the input and electric energy is the output. Both devices simply transform energy from one form to another. 11. A transformer (step-up) changes a low-voltage into a high-voltage. This does not violate the law of conservation of energy. The current is reduced by the same proportion. 199 Reprint 2025-26 Physics EXERCISES 7.1 A 100 W resistor is connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac supply. (a) What is the rms value of current in the circuit? (b) What is the net power consumed over a full cycle? 7.2 (a) The peak voltage of an ac supply is 300 V. What is the rms voltage? (b) The rms value of current in an ac circuit is 10 A. What is the peak current? 7.3 A 44 mH inductor is connected to 220 V, 50 Hz ac supply. Determine the rms value of the current in the circuit. 7.4 A 60 mF capacitor is connected to a 110 V, 60 Hz ac supply. Determine the rms value of the current in the circuit. 7.5 In Exercises 7.3 and 7.4, what is the net power absorbed by each circuit over a complete cycle. Explain your answer. 7.6 A charged 30 mF capacitor is connected to a 27 mH inductor. What is the angular frequency of free oscillations of the circuit? 7.7 A series LCR circuit with R = 20 W, L = 1.5 H and C = 35 mF is connected to a variable-frequency 200 V ac supply. When the frequency of the supply equals the natural frequency of the circuit, what is the average power transferred to the circuit in one complete cycle? 7.8 Figure 7.17 shows a series LCR circuit connected to a variable frequency 230 V source. L = 5.0 H, C = 80mF, R = 40 W. FIGURE 7.17 (a) Determine the source frequency which drives the circuit in resonance. (b) Obtain the impedance of the circuit and the amplitude of current at the resonating frequency. (c) Determine the rms potential drops across the three elements of the circuit. Show that the potential drop across the LC combination is zero at the resonating frequency. Reprint 2025-26 Chapter Eight ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES 8.1 INTRODUCTION In Chapter 4, we learnt that an electric current produces magnetic field and that two current-carrying wires exert a magnetic force on each other. Further, in Chapter 6, we have seen that a magnetic field changing with time gives rise to an electric field. Is the converse also true? Does an electric field changing with time give rise to a magnetic field? James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879), argued that this was indeed the case – not only an electric current but also a time-varying electric field generates magnetic field. While applying the Ampere’s circuital law to find magnetic field at a point outside a capacitor connected to a time-varying current, Maxwell noticed an inconsistency in the Ampere’s circuital law. He suggested the existence of an additional current, called by him, the displacement current to remove this inconsistency. Maxwell formulated a set of equations involving electric and magnetic fields, and their sources, the charge and current densities. These equations are known as Maxwell’s equations. Together with the Lorentz force formula (Chapter 4), they mathematically express all the basic laws of electromagnetism. The most important prediction to emerge from Maxwell’s equations is the existence of electromagnetic waves, which are (coupled) time- varying electric and magnetic fields that propagate in space. The speed of the waves, according to these equations, turned out to be very close to Reprint 2025-26 Physics the speed of light( 3 ×108 m/s), obtained from optical measurements. This led to the remarkable conclusion that light is an electromagnetic wave. Maxwell’s work thus unified the domain of electricity, magnetism and light. Hertz, in 1885, experimentally demonstrated the existence of electromagnetic waves. Its technological use by Marconi and others led in due course to the revolution in communication that we are witnessing today. In this chapter, we first discuss the need for displacement current and its consequences. Then we present a descriptive account of electromagnetic waves. James Clerk Maxwell The broad spectrum of electromagnetic waves, (1831 – 1879) Born in stretching from g rays (wavelength ~10–12 m) to long Edinburgh, Scotland, radio waves (wavelength ~106 m) is described. was among the greatest physicists of the nineteenth century. He 8.2 DISPLACEMENT CURRENT derived the thermal We have seen in Chapter 4 that an electrical current velocity distribution of produces a magnetic field around it. Maxwell showed molecules in a gas and that for logical consistency, a changing electric field must was among the first to obtain reliable also produce a magnetic field. This effect is of great estimates of molecular importance because it explains the existence of radio parameters from waves, gamma rays and visible light, as well as all other measurable quantities forms of electromagnetic waves. like viscosity, etc. To see how a changing electric field gives rise to Maxwell’s greatest a magnetic field, let us consider the process of acheivement was the unification of the laws of charging of a capacitor and apply Ampere’s circuital electricity and law given by (Chapter 4) magnetism (discovered by Coulomb, Oersted, “B.dl = m0 i (t) (8.1)(1831–1879) Ampere and Faraday) to find magnetic field at a point outside the capacitor. into a consistent set of Figure 8.1(a) shows a parallel plate capacitor C which equations now called Maxwell’s equations. is a part of circuit through which a time-dependent From these he arrived at current i (t) flows . Let us find the magnetic field at a the most important point such as P, in a region outside the parallel plateMAXWELL conclusion that light is capacitor. For this, we consider a plane circular loop of an electromagnetic radius r whose plane is perpendicular to the direction wave. Interestingly, of the current-carrying wire, and which is centred Maxwell did not agree symmetrically with respect to the wire [Fig. 8.1(a)]. FromCLERK with the idea (strongly suggested by the symmetry, the magnetic field is directed along the Faraday’s laws of circumference of the circular loop and is the same in electrolysis) that magnitude at all points on the loop so that if B is theJAMES electricity was magnitude of the field, the left side of Eq. (8.1) is B (2p r). particulate in nature. So we have B (2pr) = m0i (t) (8 .2) 202 Reprint 2025-26 Electromagnetic Waves Now, consider a different surface, which has the same boundary. This is a pot like surface [Fig. 8.1(b)] which nowhere touches the current, but has its bottom between the capacitor plates; its mouth is the circular loop mentioned above. Another such surface is shaped like a tiffin box (without the lid) [Fig. 8.1(c)]. On applying Ampere’s circuital law to such surfaces with the same perimeter, we find that the left hand side of Eq. (8.1) has not changed but the right hand side is zero and not m0i, since no current passes through the surface of Fig. 8.1(b) and (c). So we have a contradiction; calculated one way, there is a magnetic field at a point P; calculated another way, the magnetic field at P is zero. Since the contradiction arises from our use of Ampere’s circuital law, this law must be missing something. The missing term must be such that one gets the same magnetic field at point P, no matter what surface is used. We can actually guess the missing term by looking carefully at Fig. 8.1(c). Is there anything passing through the surface S between the plates of the capacitor? Yes, of course, the electric field! If the plates of the capacitor have an area A, and a total charge Q, the magnitude of the electric field E between the plates is (Q/A)/e0 (see Eq. 2.41). The field is perpendicular to the surface S of Fig. 8.1(c). It has the same magnitude over the area A of the capacitor plates, and vanishes outside it. So what is the electric flux FE through the surface S ? Using Gauss’s law, it is 1 Q Q ΦE = E A = A = (8.3) ε0 A ε0 Now if the charge Q on the capacitor plates changes with time, there is a current i = (dQ/dt), so that using Eq. (8.3), we have dΦE d  Q  1 d Q = FIGURE 8.1 A d t d t  ε0 = ε0 d t parallel plate capacitor C, as part of This implies that for consistency, a circuit through which a time  dΦE  dependent current i (t) flows, (a) a loop of ε0  d t  = i (8.4) radius r, to determine This is the missing term in Ampere’s circuital law. If we generalise magnetic field at a this law by adding to the total current carried by conductors through point P on the loop; the surface, another term which is e0 times the rate of change of electric (b) a pot-shaped surface passingflux through the same surface, the total has the same value of current i through the interior for all surfaces. If this is done, there is no contradiction in the value of B between the capacitor obtained anywhere using the generalised Ampere’s law. B at the point P plates with the loop shown in (a) as itsis non-zero no matter which surface is used for calculating it. B at a rim; (c) a tiffin- point P outside the plates [Fig. 8.1(a)] is the same as at a point M just shaped surface with inside, as it should be. The current carried by conductors due to flow of the circular loop as charges is called conduction current. The current, given by Eq. (8.4), is a its rim and a flat circular bottom S new term, and is due to changing electric field (or electric displacement, between the capacitor an old term still used sometimes). It is, therefore, called displacement plates. The arrows show uniform electriccurrent or Maxwell’s displacement current. Figure 8.2 shows the electric field between the and magnetic fields inside the parallel plate capacitor discussed above. capacitor plates. The generalisation made by Maxwell then is the following. The source of a magnetic field is not just the conduction electric current due to flowing 203 Reprint 2025-26 Physics charges, but also the time rate of change of electric field. More precisely, the total current i is the sum of the conduction current denoted by ic, and the displacement current denoted by id (= ✒0 (d✂E/dt)). So we have dΦE i = i c + i d = i c + ε0 (8.5) d t In explicit terms, this means that outside the capacitor plates, we have only conduction current ic = i, and no displacement current, i.e., id = 0. On the other hand, inside the capacitor, there is no conduction current, i.e., ic = 0, and there is only displacement current, so that id = i. The generalised (and correct) Ampere’s circuital law has the same form as Eq. (8.1), with one difference: “the total current passing through any surface of which the closed loop is the perimeter” is the sum of the conduction current and the displacement current. The generalised law is dΦE B idl = µ0 i c + µ0 ε0 (8.6) Ñ∫ dt and is known as Ampere-Maxwell law. In all respects, the displacement current has the same physical effects as the conduction current. In some cases, for example, steady electric fields in a conducting wire, the displacement current may be zero since the electric field E does not change with time. In other FIGURE 8.2 (a) The cases, for example, the charging capacitor above, both conduction electric and magnetic and displacement currents may be present in different regions of fields E and B between space. In most of the cases, they both may be present in the same the capacitor plates, at region of space, as there exist no perfectly conducting or perfectly the point M. (b) A cross insulating medium. Most interestingly, there may be large regions sectional view of Fig. (a). of space where there is no conduction current, but there is only a displacement current due to time-varying electric fields. In such a region, we expect a magnetic field, though there is no (conduction) current source nearby! The prediction of such a displacement current can be verified experimentally. For example, a magnetic field (say at point M) between the plates of the capacitor in Fig. 8.2(a) can be measured and is seen to be the same as that just outside (at P). The displacement current has (literally) far reaching consequences. One thing we immediately notice is that the laws of electricity and magnetism are now more symmetrical*. Faraday’s law of induction states that there is an induced emf equal to the rate of change of magnetic flux. Now, since the emf between two points 1 and 2 is the work done per unit charge in taking it from 1 to 2, the existence of an emf implies the existence of an electric field. So, we can rephrase Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction by saying that a magnetic field, changing with time, gives rise to an electric field. Then, the fact that an electric field changing with time gives rise to a magnetic field, is the symmetrical counterpart, and is * They are still not perfectly symmetrical; there are no known sources of magnetic field (magnetic monopoles) analogous to electric charges which are sources of 204 electric field. Reprint 2025-26 Electromagnetic Waves a consequence of the displacement current being a source of a magnetic field. Thus, time- dependent electric and magnetic fields give rise to each other! Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction and Ampere-Maxwell law give a quantitative expression of this statement, with the current being the total current, as in Eq. (8.5). One very important consequence of this symmetry is the existence of electromagnetic waves, which we discuss qualitatively in the next section. MAXWELL’S EQUATIONS IN VACUUM 1. “E.dA = Q/✒0 (Gauss’s Law for electricity) 2. “B.dA = 0 (Gauss’s Law for magnetism) –dΦB 3. “E.dl == (Faraday’s Law) d t d ΦE + µ0 ε0 (Ampere – Maxwell Law) 4. “B.dl = µ0 i c d t

8.2 A parallel plate capacitor (Fig. 8.6) made of circular plates each of radius R = 6.0 cm has a capacitance C = 100 pF. The capacitor is connected to 213 a 230 V ac supply with a (angular) frequency of 300 rad s–1. Reprint 2025-26 Physics (a) What is the rms value of the conduction current? (b) Is the conduction current equal to the displacement current? (c) Determine the amplitude of B at a point 3.0 cm from the axis between the plates. FIGURE 8.6 8.3 What physical quantity is the same for X-rays of wavelength 10–10 m, red light of wavelength 6800 Å and radiowaves of wavelength 500m? 8.4 A plane electromagnetic wave travels in vacuum along z-direction. What can you say about the directions of its electric and magnetic field vectors? If the frequency of the wave is 30 MHz, what is its wavelength? 8.5 A radio can tune in to any station in the 7.5 MHz to 12 MHz band. What is the corresponding wavelength band? 8.6 A charged particle oscillates about its mean equilibrium position with a frequency of 10 9 Hz. What is the frequency of the electromagnetic waves produced by the oscillator? 8.7 The amplitude of the magnetic field part of a harmonic electromagnetic wave in vacuum is B0 = 510 nT. What is the amplitude of the electric field part of the wave? 8.8 Suppose that the electric field amplitude of an electromagnetic wave is E0 = 120 N/C and that its frequency is n = 50.0 MHz. (a) Determine, B0,w, k, and l. (b) Find expressions for E and B. 8.9 The terminology of different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum is given in the text. Use the formula E = hn (for energy of a quantum of radiation: photon) and obtain the photon energy in units of eV for different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. In what way are the different scales of photon energies that you obtain related to the sources of electromagnetic radiation? 8.10 In a plane electromagnetic wave, the electric field oscillates sinusoidally at a frequency of 2.0 × 1010 Hz and amplitude 48 V m–1. (a) What is the wavelength of the wave? (b) What is the amplitude of the oscillating magnetic field? (c) Show that the average energy density of the E field equals the average energy density of the B field. [c = 3 × 108 m s–1.] Reprint 2025-26

8.3 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES 8.3.1 Sources of electromagnetic waves How are electromagnetic waves produced? Neither stationary charges nor charges in uniform motion (steady currents) can be sources of electromagnetic waves. The former produces only electrostatic fields, while the latter produces magnetic fields that, however, do not vary with time. It is an important result of Maxwell’s theory that accelerated charges radiate electromagnetic waves. The proof of this basic result is beyond the scope of this book, but we can accept it on the basis of rough, qualitative reasoning. Consider a charge oscillating with some frequency. (An oscillating charge is an example of accelerating charge.) This produces an oscillating electric field in space, which produces an oscillating magnetic field, which in turn, is a source of oscillating electric field, and so on. The oscillating electric and magnetic fields thus regenerate each other, so to speak, as the wave propagates through the space. The frequency of the electromagnetic wave naturally equals the frequency of oscillation of the charge. The energy associated with the propagating wave comes at the expense of the energy of the source – the accelerated charge. From the preceding discussion, it might appear easy to test the prediction that light is an electromagnetic wave. We might think that all we needed to do was to set up an ac circuit in which the current oscillate at the frequency of visible light, say, yellow light. But, alas, that is not possible. The frequency of yellow light is about 6 × 1014 Hz, while the frequency that we get even with modern electronic circuits is hardly about 1011 Hz. This is why the experimental demonstration of electromagnetic 205 Reprint 2025-26 Physics wave had to come in the low frequency region (the radio wave region), as in the Hertz’s experiment (1887). Hertz’s successful experimental test of Maxwell’s theory created a sensation and sparked off other important works in this field. Two important achievements in this connection deserve mention. Seven years after Hertz, Jagdish Chandra Bose, working at Calcutta (now Kolkata), succeeded in producing and observing electromagnetic waves of much shorter 8.1 wavelength (25 mm to 5 mm). His experiment, like that of Hertz’s, was confined to the laboratory. At around the same time, Guglielmo Marconi in Italy followed Hertz’s work and succeeded in transmitting EXAMPLE electromagnetic waves over distances of many kilometres. Heinrich Rudolf Hertz Marconi’s experiment marks the beginning of the field of (1857 – 1894) German communication using electromagnetic waves. physicist who was the first to broadcast and 8.3.2 Nature of electromagnetic wavesHEINRICH receive radio waves. He It can be shown from Maxwell’s equations that electric produced electro- and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave are magnetic waves, sent them through space, and perpendicular to each other, and to the direction of measured their wave- propagation. It appears reasonable, say from ourRUDOLF length and speed. He discussion of the displacement current. Consider showed that the nature Fig. 8.2. The electric field inside the plates of the capacitor of their vibration, is directed perpendicular to the plates. The magnetic reflection and refraction field this gives rise to via the displacement current is was the same as that ofHERTZ along the perimeter of a circle parallel to the capacitor light and heat waves, plates. So B and E are perpendicular in this case. This establishing their identity for the first time. is a general feature. He also pioneered In Fig. 8.3, we show a typical example of a plane research on discharge of electromagnetic wave propagating along the z direction electricity through gases, (the fields are shown as a function of the z coordinate, at and discovered the(1857–1894) a given time t). The electric field Ex is along the x-axis, photoelectric effect. and varies sinusoidally with z, at a given time. The magnetic field By is along the y-axis, and again varies sinusoidally with z. The electric and magnetic fields Ex and By are perpendicular to each other, and to the direction z of propagation. We can write Ex and By as follows: Ex= E0 sin (kz–wt) [8.7(a)] By= B0 sin (kz–wt) [8.7(b)] Here k is related to the wave length FIGURE 8.3 A linearly polarised electromagnetic wave, l of the wave by the usual propagating in the z-direction with the oscillating electric field E equation along the x-direction and the oscillating magnetic field B along the y-direction. 2 π k = (8.8) 206 λ Reprint 2025-26 Electromagnetic Waves and ω is the angular frequency. k is the magnitude of the wave vector (or propagation vector) k and its direction describes the direction of propagation of the wave. The speed of propagation of the wave is (ω/k). Using Eqs. [8.7(a) and (b)] for Ex and By and Maxwell’s equations, one finds that ω = ck, where, c = 1/ µ0ε0 [8.9(a)] The relation ω = ck is the standard one for waves (see for example, Section 14.4 of class XI Physics textbook). This relation is often written in terms of frequency, ν (=ω/2π) and wavelength, λ (=2π/k) as  2π  2 πν = c  λ  or νλ = c [8.9(b)] It is also seen from Maxwell’s equations that the magnitude of the electric and the magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave are related as B0 = (E0/c) (8.10) We here make remarks on some features of electromagnetic waves. They are self-sustaining oscillations of electric and magnetic fields in free space, or vacuum. They differ from all the other waves we have studied so far, in respect that no material medium is involved in the vibrations of the electric and magnetic fields. But what if a material medium is actually there? We know that light, an electromagnetic wave, does propagate through glass, for example. We have seen earlier that the total electric and magnetic fields inside a medium are described in terms of a permittivity ε and a magnetic permeability µ (these describe the factors by which the total fields differ from the external fields). These replace ε0 and µ0 in the description to electric and magnetic fields in Maxwell’s equations with the result that in a material medium of permittivity ε and magnetic permeability µ, the velocity of light becomes, 1 v = µε (8.11) Thus, the velocity of light depends on electric and magnetic properties of the medium. We shall see in the next chapter that the refractive index of one medium with respect to the other is equal to the ratio of velocities of light in the two media. The velocity of electromagnetic waves in free space or vacuum is an important fundamental constant. It has been shown by experiments on electromagnetic waves of different wavelengths that this velocity is the same (independent of wavelength) to within a few metres per second, out of a value of 3×108 m/s. The constancy of the velocity of em waves in vacuum is so strongly supported by experiments and the actual value is so well known now that this is used to define a standard of length. The great technological importance of electromagnetic waves stems from their capability to carry energy from one place to another. The radio and TV signals from broadcasting stations carry energy. Light carries energy from the sun to the earth, thus making life possible on the earth. 207 Reprint 2025-26 Physics Example 8.1 A plane electromagnetic wave of frequency 25 MHz travels in free space along the x-direction. At a particular point in space and time, E = 6.3 ˆj V/m. What is B at this point? Solution Using Eq. (8.10), the magnitude of B is E B = c 6.3 V/m –8 = 8 = 2.1 × 10 T 3 × 10 m/s 8.1 To find the direction, we note that E is along y-direction and the wave propagates along x-axis. Therefore, B should be in a direction perpendicular to both x- and y-axes. Using vector algebra, E × B should be along x-direction. Since, (+ ˆj ) × (+ ˆk ) = ˆi , B is along the z-direction. EXAMPLE Thus, B = 2.1 × 10–8 ˆk T Example 8.2 The magnetic field in a plane electromagnetic wave is given by By = (2 × 10–7) T sin (0.5×103x+1.5×1011t). (a) What is the wavelength and frequency of the wave? (b) Write an expression for the electric field. Solution (a) Comparing the given equation with   x t   By=B0 Sin 2p +  λ T  spectrum  2π We get, λ = 3 m = 1.26 cm, 0.5 × 10 1 11 and = ν= 1.5 × 10 /2 π = 23.9 GHz T ( ) 8.2 (b) E0 = B0c = 2×10–7 T × 3 × 108 m/s = 6 × 101 V/mElectromagnetic http://www.fnal.gov/pub/inquiring/more/light http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/ The electric field component is perpendicular to the direction of propagation and the direction of magnetic field. Therefore, the electric field component along the z-axis is obtained as EXAMPLE Ez = 60 sin (0.5 × 103x + 1.5 × 1011 t) V/m 8.4 ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM At the time Maxwell predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves, the only familiar electromagnetic waves were the visible light waves. The existence of ultraviolet and infrared waves was barely established. By the end of the nineteenth century, X-rays and gamma rays had also been discovered. We now know that, electromagnetic waves include visible light waves, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet and infrared waves. The classification of em waves according to frequency is the electromagnetic spectrum (Fig. 8.4). There is no sharp division between one kind of wave and the next. The classification is based roughly on how the waves are produced and/or detected. We briefly describe these different types of electromagnetic waves, in 208 order of decreasing wavelengths. Reprint 2025-26 Electromagnetic Waves FIGURE 8.4 The electromagnetic spectrum, with common names for various part of it. The various regions do not have sharply defined boundaries. 8.4.1 Radio waves Radio waves are produced by the accelerated motion of charges in conducting wires. They are used in radio and television communication systems. They are generally in the frequency range from 500 kHz to about 1000 MHz. The AM (amplitude modulated) band is from 530 kHz to 1710 kHz. Higher frequencies upto 54 MHz are used for short wave bands. TV waves range from 54 MHz to 890 MHz. The FM (frequency modulated) radio band extends from 88 MHz to 108 MHz. Cellular phones use radio waves to transmit voice communication in the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) band. How these waves are transmitted and received is described in Chapter 15. 8.4.2 Microwaves Microwaves (short-wavelength radio waves), with frequencies in the gigahertz (GHz) range, are produced by special vacuum tubes (called klystrons, magnetrons and Gunn diodes). Due to their short wavelengths, they are suitable for the radar systems used in aircraft navigation. Radar also provides the basis for the speed guns used to time fast balls, tennis- serves, and automobiles. Microwave ovens are an interesting domestic application of these waves. In such ovens, the frequency of the microwaves is selected to match the resonant frequency of water molecules so that energy from the waves is transferred efficiently to the kinetic energy of 209the molecules. This raises the temperature of any food containing water. Reprint 2025-26 Physics 8.4.3 Infrared waves Infrared waves are produced by hot bodies and molecules. This band lies adjacent to the low-frequency or long-wave length end of the visible spectrum. Infrared waves are sometimes referred to as heat waves. This is because water molecules present in most materials readily absorb infrared waves (many other molecules, for example, CO2, NH3, also absorb infrared waves). After absorption, their thermal motion increases, that is, they heat up and heat their surroundings. Infrared lamps are used in physical therapy. Infrared radiation also plays an important role in maintaining the earth’s warmth or average temperature through the greenhouse effect. Incoming visible light (which passes relatively easily through the atmosphere) is absorbed by the earth’s surface and re- radiated as infrared (longer wavelength) radiations. This radiation is trapped by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour. Infrared detectors are used in Earth satellites, both for military purposes and to observe growth of crops. Electronic devices (for example semiconductor light emitting diodes) also emit infrared and are widely used in the remote switches of household electronic systems such as TV sets, video recorders and hi-fi systems. 8.4.4 Visible rays It is the most familiar form of electromagnetic waves. It is the part of the spectrum that is detected by the human eye. It runs from about 4 × 1014 Hz to about 7 × 1014 Hz or a wavelength range of about 700 – 400 nm. Visible light emitted or reflected from objects around us provides us information about the world. Our eyes are sensitive to this range of wavelengths. Different animals are sensitive to different range of wavelengths. For example, snakes can detect infrared waves, and the ‘visible’ range of many insects extends well into the utraviolet. 8.4.5 Ultraviolet rays It covers wavelengths ranging from about 4 × 10–7 m (400 nm) down to 6 × 10–10m (0.6 nm). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is produced by special lamps and very hot bodies. The sun is an important source of ultraviolet light. But fortunately, most of it is absorbed in the ozone layer in the atmosphere at an altitude of about 40 – 50 km. UV light in large quantities has harmful effects on humans. Exposure to UV radiation induces the production of more melanin, causing tanning of the skin. UV radiation is absorbed by ordinary glass. Hence, one cannot get tanned or sunburn through glass windows. Welders wear special glass goggles or face masks with glass windows to protect their eyes from large amount of UV produced by welding arcs. Due to its shorter wavelengths, UV radiations can be focussed into very narrow beams for high precision applications such as LASIK (Laser- assisted in situ keratomileusis) eye surgery. UV lamps are used to kill germs in water purifiers. Ozone layer in the atmosphere plays a protective role, and hence its depletion by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) gas (such as freon) is a matter 210 of international concern. Reprint 2025-26 Electromagnetic Waves 8.4.6 X-rays Beyond the UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum lies the X-ray region. We are familiar with X-rays because of its medical applications. It covers wavelengths from about 10–8 m (10 nm) down to 10–13 m (10–4 nm). One common way to generate X-rays is to bombard a metal target by high energy electrons. X-rays are used as a diagnostic tool in medicine and as a treatment for certain forms of cancer. Because X-rays damage or destroy living tissues and organisms, care must be taken to avoid unnecessary or over exposure. 8.4.7 Gamma rays They lie in the upper frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum and have wavelengths of from about 10–10m to less than 10–14m. This high frequency radiation is produced in nuclear reactions and also emitted by radioactive nuclei. They are used in medicine to destroy cancer cells. Table 8.1 summarises different types of electromagnetic waves, their production and detections. As mentioned earlier, the demarcation between different regions is not sharp and there are overlaps. TABLE 8.1 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES Type Wavelength range Production Detection Radio > 0.1 m Rapid acceleration and Receiver’s aerials decelerations of electrons in aerials Microwave 0.1m to 1 mm Klystron valve or Point contact diodes magnetron valve Infra-red 1mm to 700 nm Vibration of atoms Thermopiles and molecules Bolometer, Infrared photographic film Light 700 nm to 400 nm Electrons in atoms emit The eye light when they move from Photocells one energy level to a Photographic film lower energy level Ultraviolet 400 nm to 1nm Inner shell electrons in Photocells atoms moving from one Photographic film energy level to a lower level X-rays 1nm to 10–3 nm X-ray tubes or inner shell Photographic film electrons Geiger tubes Ionisation chamber Gamma rays <10–3 nm Radioactive decay of the -do- nucleus 211 Reprint 2025-26 Physics SUMMARY 1. Maxwell found an inconsistency in the Ampere’s law and suggested the existence of an additional current, called displacement current, to remove this inconsistency. This displacement current is due to time-varying electric field and is given by dΦΕ di = ε0 dt and acts as a source of magnetic field in exactly the same way as conduction current. 2. An accelerating charge produces electromagnetic waves. An electric charge oscillating harmonically with frequency n, produces electromagnetic waves of the same frequency n. An electric dipole is a basic source of electromagnetic waves. 3. Electromagnetic waves with wavelength of the order of a few metres were first produced and detected in the laboratory by Hertz in 1887. He thus verified a basic prediction of Maxwell’s equations. 4. Electric and magnetic fields oscillate sinusoidally in space and time in an electromagnetic wave. The oscillating electric and magnetic fields, E and B are perpendicular to each other, and to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave. For a wave of frequency n, wavelength l, propagating along z-direction, we have E = Ex (t) = E0 sin (kz – w t )   z     z t   = E0 sin 2 π  λ − νt  = E 0 sin 2 π  λ − T   B = By(t) = B0 sin (kz – w t)   z     z t   = B 0 sin 2 π  λ − νt  = B 0 sin  2 π  λ − T   They are related by E0/B0 = c. 5. The speed c of electromagnetic wave in vacuum is related to m0 and e0 (the free space permeability and permittivity constants) as follows: c = 1/ µ0 ε0 . The value of c equals the speed of light obtained from optical measurements. Light is an electromagnetic wave; c is, therefore, also the speed of light. Electromagnetic waves other than light also have the same velocity c in free space. The speed of light, or of electromagnetic waves in a material medium is given by v = 1/ µε where m is the permeability of the medium and e its permittivity. 6. The spectrum of electromagnetic waves stretches, in principle, over an infinite range of wavelengths. Different regions are known by different names; g-rays, X-rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, infrared rays, microwaves and radio waves in order of increasing wavelength from 10–2 Å or 10–12 m to 106 m. They interact with matter via their electric and magnetic fields which set in oscillation charges present in all matter. The detailed interaction and so the mechanism of absorption, scattering, etc., depend on the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave, and the nature of the atoms and molecules 212 in the medium. Reprint 2025-26 Electromagnetic Waves POINTS TO PONDER 1. The basic difference between various types of electromagnetic waves lies in their wavelengths or frequencies since all of them travel through vacuum with the same speed. Consequently, the waves differ considerably in their mode of interaction with matter. 2. Accelerated charged particles radiate electromagnetic waves. The wavelength of the electromagnetic wave is often correlated with the characteristic size of the system that radiates. Thus, gamma radiation, having wavelength of 10–14 m to 10–15 m, typically originate from an atomic nucleus. X-rays are emitted from heavy atoms. Radio waves are produced by accelerating electrons in a circuit. A transmitting antenna can most efficiently radiate waves having a wavelength of about the same size as the antenna. Visible radiation emitted by atoms is, however, much longer in wavelength than atomic size. 3. Infrared waves, with frequencies lower than those of visible light, vibrate not only the electrons, but entire atoms or molecules of a substance. This vibration increases the internal energy and consequently, the temperature of the substance. This is why infrared waves are often called heat waves. 4. The centre of sensitivity of our eyes coincides with the centre of the wavelength distribution of the sun. It is because humans have evolved with visions most sensitive to the strongest wavelengths from the sun. EXERCISES