Question

How do electromagnetic waves transfer energy to matter?

Answer 1

In this question we have to explain how electromagnetic waves transfer energy to matter. For this first we will understand what electromagnetic waves are, how they travel in different mediums and how they affect the particles in that medium.

Complete answer:
Electromagnetic waves are a combination of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Electromagnetic waves are created by the vibrations between electric and magnetic fields. Electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other and they are perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
When an electromagnetic wave travels through vacuum it comes out of the medium without any deflection. But when an electromagnetic wave travels through a medium or material it causes the electron and other particles present in the medium to move in the form of a wave. So, we can say that electromagnetic waves create vibrations in the matter. Hence, electromagnetic waves transfer energy to matter when there are fluctuations in the field.
Result- Hence from the above explanation we can clearly see how electromagnetic waves transfer energy to matter.

Note: Hence, from the above explanation it is clear what electromagnetic waves are and how they travel in different kinds of mediums and how these waves transfer their energy to the matter. Electromagnetic waves play a very important role in the field of electrodynamics. The light we get from the sun is electromagnetic. Electromagnetic waves have a particular spectrum. There are various bands or regions depending on the wavelength of light.
For ${10^3}m$ wavelength we get radio waves.
For ${10^{ - 2}}m$ wavelength we get micro waves.
For ${10^{ - 5}}m$ wavelength we get an infrared region.
For ${10^{ - 6}}m$ wavelength we get a visible region.
For ${10^{ - 8}}m$ wavelength we get ultraviolet waves.
For ${10^{ - 10}}m$ wavelength we get X-rays.
For ${10^{ - 12}}m$ wavelength we get gamma rays.