Physics A-Level
Electromagnetic waves
What Electromagnetic waves means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Electromagnetic waves
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Electromagnetic waves in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
Transverse oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate through a vacuum at the speed of light and can be polarised.
Topics that use Electromagnetic waves
- Electromagnetic waves (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Electromagnetic spectrum
- Electromagnetic wave
- Evidence for Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory of light
- Experimental generation and detection of radio waves
- Measurement of speed using v = fλ
- Polarisation
- Blocking condition
- Finite speed
Using Electromagnetic waves in the exam
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