Science Common Sense

1478 - What are electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves are a type of energy that travel through space. They are called 'electromagnetic' because they have two parts: an electric part and a magnetic part.

Imagine you're holding a jump rope and you move it up and down. This creates a wave in the rope that travels from one end to the other. Similarly, electromagnetic waves are like invisible waves that travel through space.

They come in different forms, like:

• Radio waves (used in radio and TVs)
• Microwaves (used in ovens)
• Infrared waves (used in remote controls)
• Visible light (the light we see)
• Ultraviolet waves (harmful to our skin)
• X-rays (used in hospitals to take pictures)
• Gamma rays (very strong and used in some medical treatments)

These waves can travel through space without needing any material to move through, like water or air. They are an important part of how we communicate, travel, and learn about the world around us.