Electromagnetic waves are a form of energy that exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space. They consist of electric and magnetic fields, which oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation. These waves can propagate through vacuum as well as through various other mediums.

One of the most familiar examples of electromagnetic waves is visible light. When sunlight passes through a prism, it separates into a spectrum of different colors, ranging from red to violet. This spectrum represents different wavelengths of light, with red having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest.

Electromagnetic waves have several important properties. First, they can travel at the speed of light, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second. This speed is constant in vacuum and is denoted by the symbol 'c'. Additionally, electromagnetic waves can be categorized based on their frequencies and wavelengths. The frequency of a wave corresponds to the number of wave cycles that pass a given point per unit time, while the wavelength represents the distance between two consecutive wave crests or wave troughs.

The applications of electromagnetic waves are incredibly vast. For instance, radio waves, which have long wavelengths and low frequencies, are used in radio broadcasting and communication. Microwaves, which have shorter wavelengths, are utilized in microwave ovens and wireless communication systems. Infrared waves are used in TV remote controls and thermal imaging devices, while ultraviolet waves are responsible for causing sunburn.