what is meant by transverse nature of electromagnetic waves? draw a diagram showing the propagation of an electromagnetic wave along the x direction, indicating clearly the directions of the oscillating electric and magnetic fields associated with it?
Electromagnetic waves consist of varying electric and magnetic fields in mutually perpendicular planes. The wave propagates in the direction perpendicular to the plane of both the fields.
If on propagation of a mechanical wave through a medium, the medium particles oscillate along a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave, the wave is called transverse wave.
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves, since the electric andmagnetic fields oscillate at a right angle to the direction of motion.
