Which type of energy is carried by electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves carry electromagnetic energy, which is the energy associated with the oscillating electric and magnetic fields that make up these waves. This type of energy is present in various forms of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, X-rays, and infrared radiation.

When we talk about electromagnetic energy, it can interact with matter, leading to various phenomena such as heating (as with infrared radiation) or photosynthesis (as with visible light). Unlike thermal energy, which is related to the kinetic energy of particles in a substance, electromagnetic energy does not rely on the motion of matter but rather on the properties of the waves themselves.

Understanding electromagnetic energy is essential in fields such as physics, chemistry, and engineering, as it underlies many technologies, including telecommunications, imaging systems, and renewable energy sources like solar power. This clearly distinguishes it from thermal, kinetic, and elastic potential energies, which relate more to motion and mechanical properties of objects rather than the wave-like properties of electromagnetic radiation.