TOPIC

EM WAVES DO NOT TRAVEL THROUGH

CONDUCTORS

A PROJECT REPORT

SUBMITTED BY

NAME :
REG NO :
CLASS: XII

NARAYANA e-TECHNO SCHOOL

No. 51, Sholinganallur Main Rd, behind Pushkar Ramaniyam
Apartment, New Kumaran Nagar, Sholinganallur,
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 Chennai,Tamil Nadu 600119.
2025-2026

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 CERTIFICATE

SUBJECT : PHYSICS
REGISTRATION NUMBER :
Certified to be the bona – fide record of work done by

Name :
of class XII as PROJECT in topic

PROJECT TITLE
at Narayana E-Techno school, Chennai-600119 during the
academic year 2024-2025. Submitted for AISSCE-Practical
Examination held on _____________________.

Seal Principal

Date Internal Examiner External Examiner

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am extremely grateful to my mentors MR. KURAGANTI GALEEB

BABA & MR. SAPPA VENKATESWARARAO (Internal guide &
Subject Teachers) for their necessary guidance and support in completing the
project.
I would like to convey my sincere regards to _____________, Assisting faculty
for the valuable suggestions during the course of the project.

I wish to express my gratitude to the Principal of NARAYANA e- TECHNO

SCHOOL– OMR , for the continuous support in the completion of this project.

I express my gratitude to my parents, friends and family members for their

great support and patience.

Special thanks go to my family, who has provided me with the necessary

resources and a conducive environment to work on this project. Their constant
encouragement and belief in my abilities have been a source of motivation.

STUDENT NAME

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 INDEX
1. PREFACE 6

2. AIM 7

3. INTRODUCTION 7

4. THEORY 8

5. APPARATUS REQUIRED 20

6 PROCEDURE 20

7. OBSERVATION 21

8. APPLICATIONS 23

9. CONCLUSION 25

10. PRECAUTIONS 27

11. SOURCE OF ERROR 27

12. BIBLIOGRAPHY 28

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 ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVES

PREFACE
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This project is dedicated to various aspects of the
electromagnetic wave theory and its applications in
science and technology .The topics covered include the
fundamental concepts of electromagnetic waves , theory
of the EM wave propagation and scattering , methods of
computational analysis , material characterization of
electromagnetic properties of plasma , the biological and
medical applications of the electromagnetic field. The
classical electromagnetic theory despite being well
established and experimented the concept in itself is far
from closed and can be speculated and explained in
many ways , this project is dedicated to the research in
this field including various aspects such as the
electromagnetic wave contribution of the quantum
structure of matter and matter waves .

AIM:
To study and understand the electromagnetic wave
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properties and its propagation and investigate
essential aspects and applications of the EM waves.

Introduction:
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves formed
by oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are
mutually perpendicular to each other and to the
direction of propagation. They do not require a
material medium and can travel through a vacuum at
the speed of light, 3 ×10 m/s . These waves are produced
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by accelerating electric charges and are explained by

Maxwell’s equations.
The complete range of electromagnetic waves is
known as the electromagnetic spectrum, which
includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible
light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Electromagnetic waves are widely used in
communication, medicine, industry, and scientific

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research, making them an essential part of modern
technology and daily life.

Theory:
ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY :
Electromagnetic theory explains the relationship
between electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic
waves. It states that electric and magnetic fields are
interconnected and can propagate through space as
waves when electric charges accelerate. This theory
shows that light itself is an electromagnetic wave and
that all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of
light in a vacuum. The complete theoretical
framework of electromagnetism is described by
Maxwell’s equations, which form the foundation of
modern physics and communication technology.

CONTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS
SCIENTISTS TO THE
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EMW THEORY :
 1820 – Hans Christian Ørsted
Discovered that an electric current produces a
magnetic field, establishing the first direct link
between electricity and magnetism.
 1820–1825 – André-Marie Ampère
Formulated mathematical laws describing the
magnetic force between current-carrying
conductors, strengthening the connection
between electricity and magnetism.
 1831 – Michael Faraday
Discovered electromagnetic induction and
introduced the concept of electric and magnetic
field lines, providing experimental foundations of
electromagnetic theory.
 1864 – James Clerk Maxwell
Unified electricity, magnetism, and light through a
set of equations (Maxwell’s equations) and

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 predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves.
 1887 – Heinrich Hertz
Experimentally confirmed the existence of
electromagnetic waves predicted by Maxwell,
proving that they travel at the speed of light.

REFLECTION OF EM WAVES:
Reflection is the phenomenon in which an
electromagnetic wave bounces back into the
same medium after striking a surface. It follows
the laws of reflection, where the angle of
incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Reflection occurs due to the interaction of
electromagnetic waves with charged particles at
the surface of a material. This phenomenon is
used in mirrors, radar systems, and satellite

communication.

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REFRACTION OF EM WAVES :
Refraction is the bending of electromagnetic
waves when they pass from one medium to
another with a different refractive index. This
change in direction occurs due to a change in the
speed of the wave in different media. Refraction
obeys Snell’s law and is responsible for effects
such as the bending of light in lenses and optical
fibers. It is widely used in imaging systems and

optical instruments.

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 Polarization of EM waves :
Polarisation refers to the restriction of the
vibrations of the electric field of an
electromagnetic wave to a particular direction. It
occurs only in transverse waves, proving the
transverse nature of electromagnetic radiation.
Polarisation is achieved using polarising filters
and is applied in sunglasses, photography, LCD
screens, and communication systems to reduce

glare and improve signal quality.

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ELECTRO MAGNETIC
WAVES

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Transverse Nature
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves in
which the electric field (E) and magnetic field (B)
oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the
direction of propagation
⃗
E⊥⃗
B ⊥ direction of propagation No Medium Required
Electromagnetic waves do not require a material
medium and can propagate through vacuum.
Speed in Vacuum
All electromagnetic waves travel in vacuum with
the same speed, given by:
1
c=
√ μ0 ε 0
where c=3 × 10 m/s 8

Relation Between Electric and Magnetic

Fields
The magnitudes of electric and magnetic fields
are related by:
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 E=cB

Wave Equation
Electromagnetic waves obey the wave equation:
c= λν

where λis wavelength and νis frequency. Energy

and Momentum Transport
Electromagnetic waves carry energy and
momentum. The energy flow per unit area is
given by the Poynting vector:
⃗S= 1 ( ⃗
E×⃗
B)
μ0

Radiation Pressure
Electromagnetic waves exert pressure on a
surface due to momentum transfer where its
intensity of the wave.
Polarisation
Electromagnetic waves can be polarised,
confirming their transverse nature.
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Equation of Electric Field
For a plane electromagnetic wave propagating
along the x-direction, the electric field
oscillating along the y-direction is given by:
⃗
E (x , t)=E 0 sin ⁡(kx −ωt) ^j

Equation of Magnetic Field

The corresponding magnetic field oscillating
along the z-direction is:
B (x ,t )=B 0 sin ⁡(kx −ωt ) k^
⃗ Where:
 E0 = maximum (amplitude) of electric field
 B0 = maximum (amplitude) of magnetic field
 k=
2π
λ
= wave number

 ω=2 πν = angular frequency

 c=
ω
k
= speed of electromagnetic wave

 Relation between amplitudes:

E0 =c B0

Apparatus required:
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 Mobile phone or Wi-Fi router (signal
source)
 Radio receiver
 Conducting materials: aluminium foil,
copper sheet, steel box
 Non-conducting materials: cardboard,
plastic box (for control)
 Insulating gloves (for safety)
 Signal strength meter or mobile phone
signal indicator

PROCEDURE :
 CONTROL OBSERVATION:
Place the device without any covering.
Record the signal strength (e.g., full bars on phone
or dBm reading).
 METALLIC SHIELDING:
Place the device inside the aluminium foil or
metallic box.
Ensure the enclosure is completely closed.
Record the signal strength.
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  DIFFERENT CONDUCTORS:
Repeat the experiment using copper and steel
enclosures.
Observe the difference in signal attenuation for
each conductor.
 NON-CONDUCTING MATERIAL (CONTROL):
Cover the device with plastic or cardboard.
Observe and record the signal strength.
 ANALYSIS:
Compare the signal strength with and without
conductor.
Discuss which conductor blocks the signal most
effectively.

Observation :
Observations Table
Signal
Material Observation
Strength
No Cover Full Wave
propagates
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 Signal
Material Observation
Strength
normally
Very Signal blocked
Aluminium
Low/None completely
Very Signal blocked
Copper
Low/None completely
Partial
Steel Low
attenuation
Plastic/ No
Full
Cardboard attenuation

RESULTS:
 Electromagnetic waves are completely blocked by
good conductors (aluminium, copper).
 Partial attenuation occurs in less conductive metals
(steel).
 Non-conducting materials do not affect wave
propagation

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applications:
Radio Waves
Used in radio and television broadcasting, mobile
communication, and wireless networks due to their long
wavelength and ability to travel long distances.
Microwaves
Used in satellite communication, radar systems, and
microwave ovens for heating food. They are also used in
wireless communication and GPS.
Infrared Waves
Used in remote controls, night-vision devices, thermal
imaging, and heat sensors. They are also applied in medical
therapy and weather forecasting.
Visible Light
Enables vision and is used in photography, optical
instruments, microscopes, and laser technology.
Ultraviolet Rays
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Used for sterilization of medical instruments, water
purification, and detection of forged documents. They also
help in the production of vitamin D in the human body.
X-Rays
Used in medical imaging to detect fractures and internal
abnormalities, in security scanning, and in industrial defect
detection.
Gamma Rays
Used in cancer treatment (radiotherapy), sterilization of
medical equipment, and nuclear research due to their high
penetrating power.

Conclusions:
 From the study of electromagnetic theory, it is
concluded that electric and magnetic fields are
interrelated and can propagate through space in the form
of electromagnetic waves without requiring a material
medium.
 Based on Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves
are transverse in nature, with electric and magnetic fields
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 oscillating perpendicular to each other and to the
direction of propagation.
 From the mathematical relations and wave equations,
it is observed that all electromagnetic waves travel in
vacuum with the same speed, equal to the speed of light,
which depends only on the permittivity and permeability
of free space.
 Based on the electromagnetic spectrum, it is concluded
that electromagnetic waves differ in wavelength,
frequency, and energy, leading to a wide range of
applications from communication to medical diagnostics.
 From the study of reflection, refraction, and
polarisation, it is confirmed that electromagnetic waves
exhibit wave-like properties similar to light, proving that
light itself is an electromagnetic wave.
 Based on practical applications, electromagnetic waves
are essential to modern technology, including wireless
communication, medical imaging, remote sensing, and
scientific research.

 Therefore, the investigatory study of electromagnetic

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 waves highlights their fundamental importance in physics
and their significant role in everyday life and
technological advancement.

PRECAUTIONS:
 Ensure the metallic enclosure completely
covers the signal source.
 Avoid touching live circuits.
 Maintain consistent distance between
source and receiver.

SOURCE OF ERROR:
 Incomplete shielding by the conductor
 Weak initial signal strength

Bibliography :
 Ncert textbook
 ChatGPT
 [Link]

thank you
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