The wavelength of an electromagnetic wave _________.

Question

parthkohli · Answer

It varies.  There is a whole EM spectrum.

anonymous · Answer

depending on the medium through which passes it may be attenuated or increased.

radar · Answer

Varies with frequency, the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength.

anonymous · Answer

@radar the frequency of a given EM wave is a source-dependent physical quantity and once it spreads out in space it won't be possible to change it.

roadjester · Answer

@Saeeddiscover An EM wave does not require a medium. Light, as an EM wave, requires no medium in which to propagate.

radar · Answer

The problem doesn't specify clearly, that the EM wave in question is already generated and what affects it wavelength as it travels through different mediums. @Saeeddiscover.  I incorrectly assumed (I guess) the problem was relating to frequency, velocity, and wavelength.  While it is true that no mediums is required to propagate, the medium whatever, vacuum, ionosphere, atmosphere etc, will affect the wave causing refraction etc.

anonymous · Answer

@radar it is true that EM waves do not require any physical medium to propagate, but keep in mind that the medium through which passes just affects its wavelength. If it is to go through a glass, then the wavelength becomes narrower so as to make speed much lower than that of vacuum. But I supposed that the EM wave was already produced and the frequency of the radiation doesn't change in time. Otherwise, in addition to the wavelength, the frequency of the radiation could also affect the speed of the EM wave.