Consider the following statements regarding electromagnetic waves: 1. They are transverse waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic field vectors mutually perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation. 2. They require a material medium for propagation and cannot travel through a vacuum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Electromagnetic waves are self-propagating transverse waves composed of mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields oscillating in phase, which require no material medium and travel through a vacuum at the speed of light. Statement two is incorrect because unlike mechanical waves, electromagnetic waves travel unimpeded through empty space. James Clerk Maxwell formulated the unified equations governing these wave fields.