Electromagnetic waves, gravitational waves and the prophets who predicted them

TL;DR

This paper introduces electromagnetic and gravitational waves, discusses their historical predictions by Maxwell and Einstein, and highlights the recent detection of gravitational waves by LIGO, making complex concepts accessible.

Contribution

It provides an accessible overview of electromagnetic and gravitational waves, emphasizing their historical predictions and recent experimental confirmation.

Findings

Gravitational waves have been detected by LIGO.

Maxwell predicted electromagnetic waves.

Einstein predicted gravitational waves.

Abstract

Using non-excessively-technical language and written in informal style, this article introduces the reader to the concepts of electromagnetic and gravitational waves and recounts the prediction of existence of these waves by Maxwell and Einstein, respectively. The issue of gravitational radiation is timely in view of the recent announcement of the detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO scientific team.