electromagnetic wave

Other forms: electromagnetic waves

Definitions of electromagnetic wave

1. noun

   radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge
   synonyms: electromagnetic radiation, nonparticulate radiation

   types:

   actinic radiation, actinic ray

   electromagnetic radiation that can produce photochemical reactions

   beam, electron beam, ray

   a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation

   black-body radiation, blackbody radiation

   the electromagnetic radiation that would be radiated from an ideal black body; the distribution of energy in the radiated spectrum of a black body depends only on temperature and is determined by Planck's radiation law

   Hertzian wave

   an electromagnetic wave generated by oscillations in an electric circuit

   gamma radiation, gamma ray

   electromagnetic radiation emitted during radioactive decay and having an extremely short wavelength

   line

   a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum

   microwave

   a short electromagnetic wave (longer than infrared but shorter than radio waves); used for radar and microwave ovens and for transmitting telephone, facsimile, video and data

   radio emission, radio radiation, radio wave

   an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between 0.5 cm to 30,000 m

   X ray, X-radiation, X-ray, roentgen ray, x-ray

   electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target

   cathode ray

   a beam of electrons emitted by the cathode of an electrical discharge tube

   infrared, infrared emission, infrared light, infrared radiation

   electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves

   light, visible light, visible radiation

   (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

   particle beam

   a collimated flow of particles (atoms or electrons or molecules)

   sky wave

   a radio wave that is reflected back to earth by the ionosphere or a communications satellite; permits transmission around the curve of the earth's surface

   ground wave

   a radio wave propagated on or near the earth's surface

   radio signal

   a radio wave used to transmit and receive messages

   carrier, carrier wave

   a radio wave that can be modulated in order to transmit a signal

   short wave

   a radio wave with a wavelength less than 100 meters (a frequency greater than 3 megahertz)

   medium wave

   a radio wave with a wavelength between 100 and 1000 meters (a frequency between 300 kilohertz and 3000 kilohertz)

   long wave

   a radio wave with a wavelength longer than a kilometer (a frequency below 300 kilohertz)

   UV, ultraviolet, ultraviolet illumination, ultraviolet light, ultraviolet radiation

   radiation lying in the ultraviolet range; wave lengths shorter than light but longer than X rays

   type of:

   radiation

   energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles