What is an Electromagnetic Wave?

You might know that light can be described as a flow of particles called photons or/and as a wave depending on how you observe it. The wavelike description of light is that light is an electromagnetic wave.

But what is an electromagnetic wave?

When you dive into this question, the answer is actually quite fascinating, even if we remain within the realm of 19nth century classical physics.

In just 3 minutes of physics video, you will learn
_ What an electro-magnetic wave is (or electromagnetic radiation).
_ What is magnetic and electric about light.
_ How radio works. Yes, a radio-wave is also an electromagnetic radiation.
_ How to make a piece of metal glow light!

This video involves notions related to electric fields. For a quick refresher on electric fields, check this you-tube video:

For a deeper dive, here’s a fantastic course on the subject:

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This video is produced and presented by Edouard Reny, Ph.D. in solid state chemistry and private tutor in Physics.

For access to great resources that will help you with your studies of high school Physics, visit and subscribe to the "Physics Made Easy" website:

Edouard provides one-on-one private tuition in Physics (face to face or by Skype). If you wish to contact him, visit his website:

[visasaarinen]

That was well explained. But in this example we had this charged particle which was oscillating and thus generated the oscillating E field we can call EM wave. But we get EM wave when ever charged particle is in acceleration don't we? So that it doesn't need to osculate? Is there a way to explain the emission of em wave in that case? Also a student of mine asked about the phase shift of 180 degrees that occurs in the Electric Field of a EM wave, when reflected from an optically denser medium. Is there an intuitive way to explain that or is it just pure math? Thanks in advance!

[zheops]

I have to say this is the first time I am starting to understand what eletromagnetic wave is. Thank you.

[LightSaber]

This is one of the most powerful explanations I have ever seen. Please make more videos.

[suhadalkhafaji]

Omg finally I found a professor I like

[gtfantafizzy]

Very humble, respectful and knowledgeable person. Thank you.

[supergirl]

This little video captured what miles of blackboard, chalk and textbooks couldn't. Thanks

[sudds]

This 3 minute video was enough for me to subscribe to your channel. Great stuff!

[muhdibrahim]

How i wish i had a teacher like you in my life SIR.I love physics but graduated with a third class degree and still doing in teaching it in my locality nigeria. Thanks for the video my mentor.

[zhiyiwang]

For those wondering why the magnitude of E is changing:

“Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time”

[kousei-sama]

This is the 1st video where I actually understoood EM wave and how radio works, thanks!

[Byynx]

What a masterpiece of explanation. It's amazing how with a combination of videos we can understand great things.

[imallrightwhosleft]

Thank you for rescuing me out of all the confusion on em waves. Your 3 minute presentation is worth the research of a lifetime.
🙏🙏🙏🙏

[tomatoeggs]

Your explanation of the topic was so clear, I never thought I could understand it so easily! Thank you 😊

[richtaylor]

Just discovered your channel. Very enjoyable viewing. Love your style of presentation. New sub.

[lananhnguyen]

Wow. Thank you so much. I self-taught AP physics 1 and 2, and got 4 on both the exams, but I was struggling to grasp this concept for so long. You made it so easy to understand this. I wish I found you 2 years ago.

[Potatomatoo]

Thanks a lot I never imagined it that way. You definitely made me understand this topic better. The relation between electron/change movement and light was just mind blowing!

[jonathanfriedlander]

That is the best explanation I have ever come across, any electrical tutor / electrician / teacher I have asked to explain this has been stumped . Thanks very much !!

[Rocky_Jay]

You knew exaclty what to explain how to explian, most videos skip the basic parts and go straight into concepts living us in the woods without much explianing, but you sir knew exaclty what our issues where with this topic and you explianed it to us not as if we were fellow prefesors but as if we were what we are
and that being students. THANK U KEEP IT :)

[engineeringnerds]

So far d most comprehensive explanation of electromagnetic waves available on Internet Thank you 🙏

[swellerpal]

i haven't imagined that i could be able to understand the electromagnetic waves but after watching this i feel its amazing