ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses that the electromagnetic waves, with a focus on light and its applications. The ideas contained in this chapter should help you understand the basics behind optical storage of information, that is, compact discs, fiber optics used in telecommunications, as well as a host of other devices that use light. Electromagnetic waves are different than water and sound waves because they can travel through a vacuum, that is, they need no medium in which to travel through. Electromagnetic waves are made of electric and magnetic fields that change with time and oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of all the electromagnetic waves of various frequencies. A magnetron is a device that generates microwaves using a magnet to accelerate a current of electrons into a circle, using a magnetic field. Laser light is different than light from a light bulb. Light from a light bulb is white light, that is, of many frequencies.
