Chapter # 20 (Electromagnetic waves)
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question no. 02:
Give an example of energy carried by an electromagnetic wave.
Sunlight carries radiant energy as an electromagnetic wave. This energy can be converted into heat
(warming objects) or electricity (via solar panels). Thus, solar radiation is a clear example of EM wave
energy in daily life.
Question no. 04:
Can human body detect electromagnetic radiations that are outside the visible region of the
spectrum?
Humans can only see visible light, but they can feel infrared as heat and experience ultraviolet through its
harmful effects. Other electromagnetic waves like radio, X-rays, and gamma rays cannot be directly
sensed. Instruments are required to detect those invisible radiations.
Question no. 05:
What property of light corresponds to loudness in sound?
Loudness in sound corresponds to intensity (or amplitude) of the wave. For light, the analogous property
is its intensity/brightness, which depends on the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave. So, brightness in
light is the counterpart of loudness in sound.
Question no. 09:
When you stand outdoors in the sunlight, why can you feel the energy that sunlight carries but not
the momentum it carries?
Sunlight’s energy is absorbed by your skin as heat, which you can feel directly. Its momentum is
extremely small compared to everyday forces, so the radiation pressure it exerts is negligible. Thus, you
sense the energy as warmth but the momentum is too weak to notice physically.
Question no. 10:
A newscaster in the studio speaks to a reporter from some remote place the voice of reporter is
sometimes delayed. What causes this delay?
The delay occurs because the reporter’s voice signals travel long distances via satellites and networks, and
the processing time causes the slight lag.
Question no. 11:
Is visible region a major portion of the electromagnetic spectrum? Explain.
No, the visible region is only a tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It spans wavelengths from about
380–740 nm, while the full spectrum ranges from radio waves (kilometers long) to gamma rays
(sub-nanometer). Thus, visible light is just a narrow slice, not a major portion, though it’s crucial because
human eyes evolved to detect it.
Question no. 12:
As light passes through the atmosphere it scatters. Does the same happen with infrared light and
radio waves? Explain.
Visible light scatters strongly in the atmosphere, infrared scatters very little but is absorbed, and radio
waves mostly pass through with negligible scattering.
Question no. 13:
Why the radiations pressure of an electromagnetic wave is greater when it is perfectly reflected as
compared to when it is absorbed by the surface?
Radiation pressure comes from the transfer of momentum. When light is absorbed, the surface only gains
the incoming momentum. When light is perfectly reflected, the momentum reverses direction, so the
change is doubled, giving greater pressure.
Question no. 14:
How are the photons produced?
In atoms, when electrons jump from a higher to a lower energy level, they emit photons, which are the
quanta of electromagnetic waves. Thus, photons are the particle representation of electromagnetic
radiation, carrying both energy and momentum of the wave.
Question no. 15:
Explain the reason that why clouds appear white in color?
Clouds appear white because the tiny water droplets inside them scatter all wavelengths of visible light
almost equally. This scattering, called Mie scattering, mixes the colors of the spectrum together. The
combined effect of all colors is perceived by our eyes as white.