Electromagnetic Waves

Mechanical waves require the presence of a medium.

Electromagnetic waves can propagate through empty space.
Maxwell’s equations form the theoretical basis of all electromagnetic waves that propagate through space at the speed
of light.
Hertz confirmed Maxwell’s prediction when he generated and detected electromagnetic waves in 1887.
Electromagnetic waves are generated by oscillating electric charges.
▪ The waves radiated from the oscillating charges can be detected at great distances.
Electromagnetic waves carry energy and momentum.
Electromagnetic waves cover many frequencies.

Introduction
James Clerk Maxwell

1831 – 1879
Scottish theoretical physicist
Developed the electromagnetic theory of light
His successful interpretation of the electromagnetic field
resulted in the field equations that bear his name.
Also developed and explained
▪ Kinetic theory of gases
▪ Nature of Saturn’s rings
▪ Color vision

Section 34.1
Modifications to Ampère’s Law

Ampère’s Law is used to analyze magnetic fields created by currents:

 B ds = μ I o

But, this form is valid only if any electric fields present are constant in time.
Maxwell modified the equation to include time-varying electric fields.
Maxwell’s modification was to add a term.

Section 34.1
Modifications to Ampère’s Law, cont

The additional term included a factor called the displacement current, Id.
d E
I d = εo
dt
This term was then added to Ampère’s Law.
This showed that magnetic fields are produced both by conduction currents and by time-varying electric fields.
The general form of Ampère’s Law is

d E
 B  ds = o (I + Id ) = oI + o o dt
▪Sometimes called Ampère-Maxwell Law

Section 34.1
Maxwell’s Equations

In his unified theory of electromagnetism, Maxwell showed that electromagnetic waves are a natural consequence of
the fundamental laws expressed in these four equations:

q
 E  dA = εo  B  dA = 0
d B d E
 E  ds = − dt  B  ds = μo I + μoεo dt

Section 34.2
Maxwell’s Equation 1 – Gauss’ Law

The total electric flux through any closed surface equals the net charge inside that surface divided by o

q
 E  dA = εo
This relates an electric field to the charge distribution that creates it.

Section 34.2
Maxwell’s Equation 2 – Gauss’ Law in Magnetism

The net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero.

 B  dA = 0
The number of magnetic field lines that enter a closed volume must equal the number that leave that volume.
If this weren’t true, there would be magnetic monopoles found in nature.
▪ There haven’t been any found

Section 34.2
Maxwell’s Equation 3 – Faraday’s Law of Induction
Describes the creation of an electric field by a time-varying magnetic field.
The emf, which is the line integral of the electric field around any closed path, equals the rate of change of the magnetic
flux through any surface bounded by that path.

d B
 E  ds = − dt
One consequence is the current induced in a conducting loop placed in a time-varying magnetic field.

Section 34.2
Maxwell’s Equation 4 – Ampère-Maxwell Law

Describes the creation of a magnetic field by a changing electric field and by electric current.
The line integral of the magnetic field around any closed path is the sum of o times the net current through that path
and oo times the rate of change of electric flux through any surface bounded by that path.

d E
 B  ds = μoI + εo μo dt

Section 34.2
Lorentz Force Law

Once the electric and magnetic fields are known at some point in space, the force acting on a particle of charge q can be
found.
F = qE + qv  B
Maxwell’s equations with the Lorentz Force Law completely describe all classical electromagnetic interactions.

Section 34.2
Speed of Electromagnetic Waves

In empty space, q = 0 and I = 0

The last two equations can be solved to show that the speed at which electromagnetic waves travel is the speed of light.
This result led Maxwell to predict that light waves were a form of electromagnetic radiation.

Section 34.2
 Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

1857 – 1894
German physicist
First to generate and detect electromagnetic waves in a
laboratory setting
The most important discoveries were in 1887.
He also showed other wave aspects of light.

Section 34.2
 Hertz’s Experiment

An induction coil is connected to a transmitter.

The transmitter consists of two spherical electrodes
separated by a narrow gap.
The coil provides short voltage surges to the electrodes.
As the air in the gap is ionized, it becomes a better
conductor.
The discharge between the electrodes exhibits an
oscillatory behavior at a very high frequency.
From a circuit viewpoint, this is equivalent to an LC
circuit.

Section 34.2
Hertz’s Experiment, cont.
Sparks were induced across the gap of the receiving electrodes when the frequency of the receiver was adjusted to
match that of the transmitter.
In a series of other experiments, Hertz also showed that the radiation generated by this equipment exhibited wave
properties.
▪ Interference, diffraction, reflection, refraction and polarization
He also measured the speed of the radiation.
▪ It was close to the known value of the speed of light.

Section 34.2
 Plane Electromagnetic Waves

We will assume that the vectors for the electric and

magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave have a specific
space-time behavior that is consistent with Maxwell’s
equations.
Assume an electromagnetic wave that travels in the x
direction with as shown.
E and B
The x-direction is the direction of propagation.
The electric field is assumed to be in the y direction and
the magnetic field in the z direction.

Section 34.3
Plane Electromagnetic Waves, cont.

Waves in which the electric and magnetic fields are restricted to being parallel to a pair of perpendicular axes are said
to be linearly polarized waves.
We also assume that at any point in space, the magnitudes E and B of the fields depend upon x and t only.

Section 34.3
Rays

A ray is a line along which the wave travels.

All the rays for the type of linearly polarized waves that have been discussed are parallel.
The collection of waves is called a plane wave.
A surface connecting points of equal phase on all waves, called the wave front, is a geometric plane.
A surface connecting points of radiation sends waves out radially in all directions.
▪ A surface connecting points of equal phase for this situation is a sphere.
▪ This wave is called a spherical wave.

Section 34.3
Waves – A Terminology Note

The word wave represents both

▪ The emission from a single point
▪ The collection of waves from all points on the source
The meaning should be clear from the context.

Section 34.3
Properties of em Waves

The solutions of Maxwell’s third and fourth equations are wave-like, with both E and B satisfying a wave equation.
Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light:

1
c=
μoεo
▪ This comes from the solution of Maxwell’s equations.

Section 34.3
Properties of em Waves, 2

The components of the electric and magnetic fields of

plane electromagnetic waves are perpendicular to each
other and perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
▪ This can be summarized by saying that
electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.
The figure represents a sinusoidal em wave moving in the
x direction with a speed c.

Section 34.3
Properties of em Waves, 3

The magnitudes of the electric and magnetic fields in empty space are related by the expression:

c=E
B
▪ This comes from the solution of the partial differentials obtained from Maxwell’s equations.
Electromagnetic waves obey the superposition principle.

Section 34.3
Derivation of Speed – Some Details
From Maxwell’s equations applied to empty space, the following partial derivatives can be found:

 2E  2E  2B  2B
= μoεo 2 and = μoεo 2
x 2
t x 2
These are in the form of a general wave equation, with
t

1
v =c =
μoεo
Substituting the values for μo and εo gives c = 2.99792 x 108 m/s

Section 34.3
E to B Ratio – Some Details

The simplest solution to the partial differential equations is a sinusoidal wave:

▪ E = Emax cos (kx – ωt)
▪ B = Bmax cos (kx – ωt)
The angular wave number is k = 2π/λ
▪ λ is the wavelength
The angular frequency is ω = 2πƒ
▪ ƒ is the wave frequency

Section 34.3
E to B Ratio – Details, cont.

The speed of the electromagnetic wave is

ω 2π ƒ
= = λƒ = c
k 2π λ
Taking partial derivations also gives
Emax ω E
= = =c
Bmax k B

Section 34.3
Poynting Vector

Electromagnetic waves carry energy.

As they propagate through space, they can transfer that energy to objects in their path.
The rate of transfer of energy by an em wave is described by a vector, , called the Poynting vector.
S

Section 34.4
 Poynting Vector, cont.

The Poynting vector is defined as

1
S E B
μo
Its direction is the direction of propagation.
This is time dependent.
▪ Its magnitude varies in time.
▪ Its magnitude reaches a maximum at the same instant
as .
E and B

Section 34.4
Poynting Vector, final

The magnitude of the vector represents the rate at which energy passes through a unit surface area perpendicular to the
direction of the wave propagation.
▪ Therefore, the magnitude represents the power per unit area.
The SI units of the Poynting vector are J/(s.m2) = W/m2.

Section 34.4
Intensity

The wave intensity, I, is the time average of S (the Poynting vector) over one or more cycles.
▪ This defines intensity in the same way as earlier.
▪ The optics industry calls power per unit area the irradiance.
▪ Radiant intensity is defined as the power in watts per solid angle.
When the average is taken, the time average of cos2(kx - ωt) = ½ is involved.

2 2
Emax Bmax Emax c Bmax
I = Savg = = =
2μo 2μo c 2μo

Section 34.4
Energy Density

The energy density, u, is the energy per unit volume.

For the electric field, uE= ½ εoE2
For the magnetic field, uB = ½ μoB2
Since B = E/c and c =1 μoεo

1 B2
uB = uE = εo E =
2

2 2 μo

The instantaneous energy density associated with the magnetic field of an em wave equals the instantaneous energy
density associated with the electric field.
▪ In a given volume, the energy is shared equally by the two fields.

Section 34.4
Energy Density, cont.
The total instantaneous energy density is the sum of the energy densities associated with each field.
▪ u =uE + uB = εoE2 = B2 / μo
When this is averaged over one or more cycles, the total average becomes
▪ uavg = εo(E2)avg = ½ εoE2max = B2max / 2μo
In terms of I, I = Savg = cuavg
▪ The intensity of an em wave equals the average energy density multiplied by the speed of light.

Section 34.4
Momentum

Electromagnetic waves transport momentum as well as energy.

As this momentum is absorbed by some surface, pressure is exerted on the surface.
Assuming the wave transports a total energy TER to the surface in a time interval Δt, the total momentum is p = TER / c
for complete absorption.

Section 34.5
Pressure and Momentum

Pressure, P, is defined as the force per unit area

F 1 dp 1 ( dTER dt )
P= = =
A A dt c A
But the magnitude of the Poynting vector is (dTER/dt)/A and so P = S / c.
▪ For a perfectly absorbing surface
For a perfectly reflecting surface, p = 2TER /c and P = 2S/c
For a surface with a reflectivity somewhere between a perfect reflector and a perfect absorber, the pressure delivered to
the surface will be somewhere in between S/c and 2S/c.
For direct sunlight, the radiation pressure is about 5 x 10-6 N/m2 .

Section 34.5
Production of em Waves by an Antenna

Neither stationary charges nor steady currents can produce electromagnetic waves.
The fundamental mechanism responsible for this radiation is the acceleration of a charged particle.
Whenever a charged particle accelerates, it radiates energy.

Section 34.6
 Production of em Waves by an Antenna, 2

This is a half-wave antenna.

Two conducting rods are connected to a source of
alternating voltage.
The length of each rod is one-quarter of the wavelength of
the radiation to be emitted.

Section 34.6
Production of em Waves by an Antenna, final
The oscillator forces the charges to accelerate between the two rods.
The antenna can be approximated by an oscillating electric dipole.
The magnetic field lines form concentric circles around the antenna and are perpendicular to the electric field lines at
all points.
The electric and magnetic fields are 90o out of phase at all times.
This dipole energy dies out quickly as you move away from the antenna.
The source of the radiation found far from the antenna is the continuous induction of an electric field by the time-
varying magnetic field and the induction of a magnetic field by a time-varying electric field.
The electric and magnetic field produced in this manner are in phase with each other and vary as 1/r.
The result is the outward flow of energy at all times.

Section 34.6
Angular Dependence of Intensity
This shows the angular dependence of the radiation
intensity produced by a dipole antenna.
The intensity and power radiated are a maximum in a
plane that is perpendicular to the antenna and passing
through its midpoint.
The intensity varies as (sin2 θ) / r2

Section 34.6
The Spectrum of EM Waves

Various types of electromagnetic waves make up the em spectrum.

There is no sharp division between one kind of em wave and the next.
All forms of the various types of radiation are produced by the same phenomenon – accelerating charges.

Section 34.7
 The EM Spectrum

Note the overlap between types of waves

Visible light is a small portion of the spectrum.
Types are distinguished by frequency or wavelength

Section 34.7
Notes on the EM Spectrum

Radio Waves
▪ Wavelengths of more than 104 m to about 0.1 m
▪ Used in radio and television communication systems
Microwaves
▪ Wavelengths from about 0.3 m to 10-4 m
▪ Well suited for radar systems
▪ Microwave ovens are an application

Section 34.7
Notes on the EM Spectrum, 2

Infrared waves
▪ Wavelengths of about 10-3 m to 7 x 10-7 m
▪ Incorrectly called “heat waves”
▪ Produced by hot objects and molecules
▪ Readily absorbed by most materials
Visible light
▪ Part of the spectrum detected by the human eye
▪ Most sensitive at about 5.5 x 10-7 m (yellow-green)

Section 34.7
 More About Visible Light

Different wavelengths correspond to different colors.

The range is from red (λ ~ 7 x 10-7 m) to violet (λ ~4 x 10-
7 m).

Section 34.7
Visible Light, cont

Section 34.7
Notes on the EM Spectrum, 3
Ultraviolet light
▪ Covers about 4 x 10-7 m to 6 x 10-10 m
▪ Sun is an important source of uv light
▪ Most uv light from the sun is absorbed in the stratosphere by ozone
X-rays
▪ Wavelengths of about 10-8 m to 10-12 m
▪ Most common source is acceleration of high-energy electrons striking a metal target
▪ Used as a diagnostic tool in medicine

Section 34.7
Notes on the EM Spectrum, final

Gamma rays
▪ Wavelengths of about 10-10 m to 10-14 m
▪ Emitted by radioactive nuclei
▪ Highly penetrating and cause serious damage when absorbed by living tissue
Looking at objects in different portions of the spectrum can produce different information.

Section 34.7
 Wavelengths and Information

These are images of the Crab Nebula.

They are (clockwise from upper left) taken with:
▪ x-rays
▪ visible light
▪ radio waves
▪ infrared waves

Section 34.7