What are electromagnetic waves and how they work are in microwaves, x-rays,

and similar objects

Richard Rosa Figueroa

In our daily lives we use many types of electromagnetic waves, some of which we don’t know we use. For example, most people use microwaves daily, others use x-rays and radio waves. Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field couples with a magnetic field. The magnetic and electric fields of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the wave. Unlike other waves, the energy streams caused by the interaction of magnetic and electrical forces can travel through empty space. Electromagnetic streams have peaks and troughs, caused by the forces push and pull of one another. The wavelengths are discovered by measuring the distance between two identical points of the waves from cycle to cycle. For example, the distance between one crest and the next is the wavelength. Electromagnetic waves are classified according to wavelengths and energy. Higher energy waves have short wavelengths and lower energy waves have a long wavelengths. The scale that describes the different types of waves is called the electromagnetic spectrum. In this scale we can see that radio waves are found at the bottom of the scale, while visible light sits in the middle and gamma rays at the top of the scale.

A microwave oven works by passing non-ionizing microwave radiation through the food. Microwave radiation is between common radio and infrared frequencies. Microwaves are used to cook food faster than a stove or an oven. A radio wave is composed of electromagnetic radiation. The radio transmitter sends out radio waves at a specific frequency or band of frequencies and the aerial receiver develops tiny electric currents in it as the radio wave flows past it. These are pulsing currents at the same frequency of the radio wave. This content or signal is carried in the wave and this is the concept of the carrier wave. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation carried by photons. Like the visible light spectrum, another portion of the electromagnetic scale, x-rays may either pass through, be absorbed by or reflect off a material based on its subatomic structure. The difference between x-rays and visible light is that x-rays exist farther up on the electromagnetic scale and that’s why they have a smaller wavelength and higher energy level. X-rays are used by doctors for the diagnosis and analysis of broken bones, tooth structure, and the presence of cancer, gaps, lumps or other problems in soft tissue. Using captured images, doctors can diagnose and treat simple fractures, fractures that don't break the skin and hide structural defects within teeth.

As technology advances maybe so will the use of electromagnetic waves, they could be used for more things that could help humans in their daily lives. For example, today’s televisions, they all work with LCD and plasma technology and both of them emit electromagnetic waves. Same with the cell phones, they also emit electromagnetic waves. Both of these objects are constantly being modified and made with better uses, this is the same case with many other electrical objects.