Zaymiey

⚛️ Physics  ·  Electromagnetic Waves  ·  NEET & JEE

Maxwell unified electricity, magnetism, and optics by showing that:

Answer: Light is an electromagnetic wave.

  • A Light is an electromagnetic wave
  • B Magnetic monopoles exist
  • C Electric charge is quantized
  • D All forces are equal in strength

Correct answer: A. Light is an electromagnetic wave

Explanation: Maxwell derived from his equations that EM waves propagate at speed 1/√(μ_0 ε_0) = c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, matching the known speed of light. This proved light is an EM wave.

Electromagnetic Wave: E ⊥ B ⊥ Direction of TravelpropagationE (electric field, vertical plane)B (magnetic field, horizontal plane, perpendicular to E)

In an electromagnetic wave, the oscillating electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) are perpendicular to each other and to the direction the wave travels - a purely transverse wave that needs no medium, unlike sound.

Concept context

Maxwell's equations, EM spectrum, properties, and applications of each band.

Read the full Electromagnetic Waves notes →