Q. What is electromagnetic radiation?Why is the term electromagnetic radiation?

Ans. It is a form in which energy can be transferred from one point to another through empty space.

 When an electric current passes from one point to the other in a conductor, a magnetic field in its vicinity is produced. Similarly, a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current in a suitable conductor. It thus follows that both these ' effects are interrelated. Moreover, like radiation, both these effects can be transmitted through space, no material medium is required.

In 1864, J.C. Maxwell showed that certain electrical disturbances are accompanied by the emission of electric waves. Since the electric and magnetic effects are interrelated, it is now considered that an electric field will be accompanied by a j magnetic wave. Therefore, electromagnetic radiation can now be considered as waves of energy propagating from a source in space and consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields at right angles to each other as well as to the direction of propagation of the wave motion