Electromagnetic (EM) wave — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- A wave that can travel through empty space, carrying energy as vibrating electric and magnetic fields. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
- A transverse wave of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that travels through a vacuum at the speed of light, c ≈ 3 × 10⁸ m/s. (Physics & Environmental Science)
Where it is taught
- Light & the Electromagnetic Spectrum — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Light & the Electromagnetic Spectrum — Waves, Sound & Optics, Physics & Environmental Science, Grade 12
In use
Light is an electromagnetic (EM) wave — a ripple of vibrating electric and magnetic fields.
Light & the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Taught alongside
- electromagnetic spectrum
- reflection
- absorption
- transmission
- model
- evidence
- system boundary
- assumption
- speed of light (c)
- photon
- wave-particle duality
- Planck's constant (h)