Transversality of Electromagnetic Waves in the Calculus-Based Introductory Physics Course

Details Transversality of Electromagnetic Waves in the Calculus-Based Introductory Physics Course Transversality of Electromagnetic Waves in the Calculus-Based Introductory Physics Course

2008-08-21

arxiv.org/abs/0808.2993v1

European Journal of Physics (2008) 29, 1223-1234

Physics

Classical Physics

10 pages, 6 figures

Scientific paper

10.1088/0143-0807/29/6/011

Introductory calculus-based physics textbooks state that electromagnetic waves are transverse and list many of their properties, but most such textbooks do not bring forth arguments why this is so. Both physical and theoretical arguments are at a level appropriate for students of courses based on such books, and could be readily used by instructors of such courses. Here, we discuss two physical arguments (based on polarization experiments and on lack of monopole electromagnetic radiation), and the full argument for the transversality of (plane) electromagnetic waves based on the integral Maxwell equations. We also show, at a level appropriate for the introductory course, why the electric and magnetic fields in a wave are in phase and the relation of their magnitudes.

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