electromagnetic wave

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a wave produced by the acceleration of an electric charge and propagated by the periodic variation of intensities of, usually, perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.

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electromagnetic wave British  

noun

1. a wave of energy propagated in an electromagnetic field See also electromagnetic radiation

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electromagnetic wave Scientific  

1. A wave of energy consisting of electric and magnetic fields, oscillating at right angles to each other.

2. See more at electromagnetic radiation

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Etymology

Origin of electromagnetic wave

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

"If you have a screen and an electromagnetic wave passes by, the wave doesn't propagate straight through," Medvedev said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

For vertical-vertical, the electromagnetic wave of both the transmitted and returned radar beam has peaks and valleys, similar to the rise and fall of ocean waves.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2024

Light is an oscillating, or moving, electromagnetic wave that allows us to see objects.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024

Clearly, the larger the strength of the electric and magnetic fields, the more work they can do and the greater the energy the electromagnetic wave carries.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

The number 3�1010 is the value in centimetres per second of the velocity of the electromagnetic wave, and is identical with that of light.

From Hertzian Wave Wireless Telegraphy by Fleming, John Ambrose