The term electromagnetic radiation consists of two words, electromagnetic (electron+magnetic) and radiation. So actually, it’s a three-word term. Let’s break it down by the definitions for each word and put it in simple English.
Let’s first figure out the word radiation. Radiation comes from the word radiate and it is an action of radiating. So let’s check out the word radiate.
radiate – to send out rays, to spread abroad or around as if from a center
Just think about the sun, the sun radiates sun rays from itself out to the universe. So radiation is the action of sending out rays from a source.
The word electromagnetic is made up of two simpler words – electron and magnetic. Let’s first look at the definition of the word electron.
electron – a negatively charged subatomic particle.
Putting this in simple English, electron is a negatively charged tiny particle (significantly smaller than an atom) that can be attached to an atom or move freely between the atoms.
Let’s define the word magnetic – exhibiting or relating to magnetism. Ok, so sequentially let’s look at the word magnetism.
magnetism – a physical phenomenon produced by the motion of electric charge, resulting in attractive and repulsive forces between objects
In simple terms, magnetism results from the motion of the electrons. Because electrons are charged particles, they produce attractive and repulsive forces between the objects. Attractive and repulsive forces are produced from difference in charges between the objects.
So to sum it up, the electromagnetic radiation is the energy that is being transmitted from a source to other objects in the form of the electrons that are in motion which in turn produce attractive and repulsive forces.
The electromagnetic radiation travels in the oscillating motion, or in the form of a wave. This motion is called electromagnetic waves.
Some of the types of electromagnetic radiation are
- Radio Waves
- Microwaves
- Infrared Waves
- Visible Light Rays
- Ultraviolet Waves
- X-rays
- Gamma Rays.
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