Chapter 33

Electromagnetic Waves

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Learning Objectives
33.01 In the electromagnetic 33.04 Identify the speed of an
spectrum, identify the relative electromagnetic wave in vacuum
wavelengths (longer or shorter) of (and approximately in air).
AM radio, FM radio, television,
infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet 33.05 Identify that electromagnetic
light, x rays, and gamma rays. waves do not require a medium
and can travel through vacuum.
33.02 Describe the transmission of an
electromagnetic wave by an LC 33.06 Apply the relationship
oscillator and an antenna. between the speed of an
electromagnetic wave, the
33.03 For a transmitter with an LC straight-line distance traveled by
oscillator, apply the relationships the wave, and the time required
between the oscillator’s inductance for the travel.
L, capacitance C, and angular
frequency ω, and the emitted
wave’s frequency f and wavelength
λ.
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 33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Learning Objectives (Contd.)

33.07 Apply the relationships 33.09 Apply the sinusoidal equations
between an electromagnetic for the electric and magnetic
wave’s frequency f, wavelength λ, components of an EM wave,
period T, angular frequency ω, written as functions of position
and speed c. and time.
33.08 Identify that an 33.10 Apply the relationship
electromagnetic wave consists of between the speed of light c, the
an electric component and a permittivity constant ε0, and the
magnetic component that are (a) permeability constant μ0.
perpendicular to the direction of
travel, (b) perpendicular to each 33.11 For any instant and position,
other, and (c) sinusoidal waves apply the relationship between
with the same frequency and the electric field magnitude E, the
phase. magnetic field magnitude B, and
the speed of light c.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Learning Objectives (Contd.)

33.12 Describe the derivation of the
relationship between the speed of
light c and the ratio of the electric field
amplitude E to the magnetic field
amplitude B.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Maxwell’s Rainbow

In Maxwell’s time (the mid 1800s), the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet forms of light were the
only electromagnetic waves known. Spurred on by Maxwell’s work, however, Heinrich Hertz
discovered what we now call radio waves and verified that they move through the laboratory at
the same speed as visible light, indicating that they have the same basic nature as visible
light. As the figure shows, we now know a wide spectrum (or range) of electromagnetic waves:
Maxwell’s rainbow.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Travelling Electromagnetic Wave

An arrangement for generating a traveling electromagnetic wave in

the shortwave radio region of the spectrum: an LC oscillator
produces a sinusoidal current in the antenna, which generates the
wave. P is a distant point at which a detector can monitor the wave
traveling past it.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Travelling Electromagnetic Wave

Figure 2

Electromagnetic Wave. Figure 1 shows how the electric

field E and the magnetic field B change with time as one
wavelength of the wave sweeps past the distant point P of
Fig. 2 ; in each part of Fig. 1, the wave is traveling directly
out of the page. (We choose a distant point so that the
curvature of the waves suggested in Fig. 2 is small
enough to neglect. At such points, the wave is said to be a
plane wave, and discussion of the wave is much
simplified.) Note several key features in Fig. 2; they are
present regardless of how the wave is created:
Figure 1
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33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Travelling Electromagnetic Wave

Figure 2

1. The electric and magnetic fields E and B are always

perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is
traveling. Thus, the wave is a transverse wave, as
discussed in Chapter 16.
2. The electric field is always perpendicular to the magnetic
field.
3. The cross product E × B always gives the direction in
which the wave travels.
4. The fields always vary sinusoidally, just like the
transverse waves discussed in Chapter 16. Moreover,
the fields vary with the same frequency and in phase (in
step) with each other.
Figure 1
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33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Travelling Electromagnetic Wave

Figure 2

In keeping with these features, we can deduce that an

electromagnetic wave traveling along an x axis has an
electric field E and a magnetic field B with magnitudes that
depend on x and t:

where Em and Bm are the amplitudes of E and B. The

electric field induces the magnetic field and vice versa.
Figure 1
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33-1 Electromagnetic Waves

Travelling Electromagnetic Wave

Figure 2

Wave Speed. From chapter 16 (Eq. 16-13), we know that

the speed of the wave is ω/k. However, because this is an
electromagnetic wave, its speed (in vacuum) is given the
symbol c rather than v and that c has the value given by

which is about 3.0 × 108 m/s. In other words,

Figure 1
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-2 Energy Transport and The Poynting Vector

Learning Objectives
33.13 Identify that an 33.16 Calculate the instantaneous
electromagnetic wave transports rate S of energy flow of an EM
energy. wave in terms of the instantaneous
electric field magnitude E.
33.14 For a target, identify that an
EM wave’s rate of energy 33.17 For the electric field
transport per unit area is given by component of an electromagnetic
the Poynting vector S, which is wave, relate the rms value Erms to
related to the cross product of the the amplitude Em.
electric field E and magnetic field
B. 33.18 Identify an EM wave’s intensity
I in terms of energy transport.
33.15 Determine the direction of
travel (and thus energy transport) 33.19 Apply the relationships
of an electromagnetic wave by between an EM wave’s intensity I
applying the cross product for the and the electric field’s rms value
corresponding Poynting vector. Erms and amplitude Em.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-2 Energy Transport and The Poynting Vector

Learning Objectives (Contd.)

33.19 Apply the relationships 33.22 For an isotropic point source of
between an EM wave’s intensity I light, apply the relationship
and the electric field’s rms value between the emission power P,
Erms and amplitude Em. the distance r to a point of
measurement, and the intensity I
33.20 Apply the relationship between at that point.
average power Pavg, energy
transfer ΔE, and the time Δt taken 33.23 In terms of energy
by that transfer, and apply the conservation, explain why the
relationship between the intensity from an isotropic point
instantaneous power P and the source of light decreases as 1/r2.
rate of energy transfer dE/dt.
33.21 Identify an isotropic point
source of light.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33-2 Energy Transport and The Poynting Vector

The Poynting Vector: The rate per unit area at which energy is transported via
an electromagnetic wave is given by the Poynting vector

The time-averaged rate per unit area at which

energy is transported is Savg, which is called the
intensity I of the wave: A point source of electromagnetic
waves emits the waves
isotropically—that is, with equal
intensity in all directions. The
intensity of the waves at distance r
in which Erms= Em/√2. from a point source of power Ps is

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 33-3 Radiation Pressure

Learning Objectives
33.24 Distinguish between force and 33.27 For a uniform electromagnetic
pressure. beam that is perpendicular to a
target area, apply the
33.25 Identify that an relationships between the wave’s
electromagnetic wave transports intensity and the pressure on the
momentum and can exert a force target, for both total absorption
and a pressure on a target. and total backward reflection.
33.26 For a uniform electromagnetic
beam that is perpendicular to a
target area, apply the
relationships between that area,
the wave’s intensity, and the force
on the target, for both total
absorption and total backward
reflection.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33-3 Radiation Pressure

When a surface intercepts electromagnetic radiation, a force and a pressure

are exerted on the surface.
If the radiation is totally absorbed by the surface, the force is

Total Absorption
in which I is the intensity of the radiation and A is the area of the surface
perpendicular to the path of the radiation.
If the radiation is totally reflected back along its original path, the force is

Total Reflection back along path

The radiation pressure pr is the force per unit area:

Total Absorption

and
Total Reflection back along path

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 33-4 Polarization

Learning Objectives
33.28 Distinguish between polarized 33.32 For a light beam incident
light and unpolarized light. perpendicularly on a polarizing
sheet, apply the one-half rule and
33.29 For a light beam headed toward the cosine-squared rule,
you, sketch representations of distinguishing their uses.
polarized light and unpolarized light.
33.33 Distinguish between a polarizer
33.30 When a beam is sent into a and an analyzer.
polarizing sheet, explain the function
of the sheet in terms of its polarizing 33.34 Explain what is meant if two
direction (or axis) and the electric sheets are crossed.
field component that is absorbed and
the component that is transmitted. 33.35 When a beam is sent into a
system of polarizing sheets, work
33.31 For light that emerges from a through the sheets one by one,
polarizing sheet, identify it finding the transmitted intensity and
polarization relative to the sheet’s polarization.
polarizing direction.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33-4 Polarization
Electromagnetic waves are polarized if their electric field vectors are all in a
single plane, called the plane of oscillation. Light waves from common sources
are not polarized; that is, they are unpolarized, or polarized randomly.

If the original light is initially unpolarized, the transmitted intensity I is half the
original intensity I0:

If the original light is initially polarized, the transmitted intensity depends on the
angle u between the polarization direction of the original light and the polarizing
direction of the sheet:

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 33-5 Reflection and Refraction

Learning Objectives
33.36 With a sketch, show the 33.39 For refraction of light, apply
reflection of a light ray from an Snell’s law to relate the index of
interface and identify the incident refraction and the angle of the ray
ray, the reflected ray, the normal, on one side of the interface to
the angle of incidence, and the those quantities on the other side.
angle of reflection.
33.40 In a sketch and using a line
33.37 Relate the angle of incidence along the undeflected direction,
and the angle of reflection. show the refraction of light from
one material into a second
33.38 With a sketch, show the material that has a greater index, a
refraction of a light ray at an smaller index, and the same index,
interface and identify the incident and, for each situation, describe
ray, the refracted ray, the normal the refraction in terms of the ray
on each side of the interface, the being bent toward the normal,
angle of incidence, and the angle away from the normal, or not at all.
of refraction.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-5 Reflection and Refraction

Learning Objectives (Contd.)

33.41 Identify that refraction occurs 33.44 Describe how the primary
only at an interface and not in the and secondary rainbows are
interior of a material. formed and explain why they are
circular arcs.
33.42 Identify chromatic dispersion.
33.43 For a beam of red and blue
light (or other colors) refracting at
an interface, identify which color
has the greater bending and
which has the greater angle of
refraction when they enter a
material with a lower index than
the initial material and a greater
index.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33-5 Reflection and Refraction

(a) A photograph showing an incident

beam of light reflected and
refracted by a horizontal water
surface.
(b) A ray representation of (a). The
angles of incidence (θ1), reflection
(θ’1), and refraction (θ2) are
marked.

When a light ray encounters a boundary between two transparent

media, a reflected ray and a refracted ray generally appear as shown in
figure above.
Law of reflection: A reflected ray lies in the plane of incidence and has
an angle of reflection equal to the angle of incidence (both relative to the
normal). In Fig. (b), this means that

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33-5 Reflection and Refraction

(a) A photograph showing an incident

beam of light reflected and
refracted by a horizontal water
surface.
(b) A ray representation of (a). The
angles of incidence (θ1), reflection
(θ’1), and refraction (θ2) are
marked.

Law of refraction: A refracted ray lies in the plane of incidence and has an
angle of refraction θ2 that is related to the angle of incidence θ1 by

Here each of the symbols n1 and n2 is a dimensionless constant, called the

index of refraction, that is associated with a medium involved in the
refraction.

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33-5 Reflection and Refraction

1. If n2 is equal to n1, then θ2 is equal to θ1 and refraction does not bend the
light beam, which continues in the undeflected direction, as in Fig. (a).
2. If n2 is greater than n1, then θ2 is less than θ1 . In this case, refraction
bends the light beam away from the undeflected direction and toward the
normal, as in Fig. (b).
3. If n2 is less than n1, then θ2 is greater than θ1 . In this case, refraction
bends the light beam away from the undeflected direction and away from
the normal, as in Fig. (c).
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-5 Reflection and Refraction

Chromatic dispersion of white light. The blue

component is bent more than the red
component. (a) Passing from air to glass, the
blue component ends up with the smaller angle
of refraction. (b) Passing from glass to air, the
blue component ends up with the greater angle
of refraction. Each dotted line represents the
direction in which the light would continue to
travel if it were not bent by the refraction.
Rainbow: (a) The separation of colors when
sunlight refracts into and out of falling raindrops
leads to a primary rainbow. The antisolar point A
is on the horizon at the right. The rainbow colors
appear at an angle of 42° from the direction of A.
(b) Drops at 42° from A in any direction can
contribute to the rainbow. (c) The rainbow arc
when the Sun is higher (and thus A is lower).
(d ) The separation of colors leading to a
secondary rainbow. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-6 Total Internal Reflection

Learning Objectives
33.45 With sketches, explain total 33.46 Identify the angle of refraction
internal reflection and include the for incidence at a critical angle.
angle of incidence, the critical
angle, and the relative values of 33.47 For a given pair of indexes of
the indexes of refraction on the refraction, calculate the critical
two sides of the interface.. angle.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 33-6 Total Internal Refraction

(a) Total internal reflection

of light from a point source
S in glass occurs for all
angles of incidence greater
than the critical angle uc. At
the critical angle, the
refracted ray points along
the air – glass interface. (b)
A source in a tank of water.
Figure (a) shows rays of monochromatic light from a point source S in glass incident
on the interface between the glass and air. For ray a, which is perpendicular to the
interface, part of the light reflects at the interface and the rest travels through it with
no change in direction. For rays b through e, which have progressively larger angles
of incidence at the interface, there are also both reflection and refraction at the
interface. As the angle of incidence increases, the angle of refraction increases; for
ray e it is 90°, which means that the refracted ray points directly along the interface.
The angle of incidence giving this situation is called the critical angle θc. For angles
of incidence larger than θc, such as for rays f and g, there is no refracted ray and all
the light is reflected; this effect is called total internal reflection because all the light
remains inside the glass. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 33-7 Polarization by Reflection

Learning Objectives
33.48 With sketches, explain how 33.50 Apply the relationship
unpolarized light can be converted between Brewster’s angle and the
to polarized light by reflection from indexes of refraction on the two
an interface. sides of an interface.
33.49 Identify Brewster’s angle. 33.51 Explain the function of
polarizing sunglasses.

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33-7 Polarization by Reflection

A ray of unpolarized light in air is incident on a glass

surface at the Brewster angle θB. The electric fields
along that ray have been resolved into components
perpendicular to the page (the plane of incidence,
reflection, and refraction) and components parallel to
the page. The reflected light consists only of
components perpendicular to the page and is thus
polarized in that direction. The refracted light consists
of the original components parallel to the page and
weaker components perpendicular to the page; this
light is partially polarized.

As shown in the figure above a reflected wave will be fully polarized, with its E
vectors perpendicular to the plane of incidence, if it strikes a boundary at the
Brewster angle θB, where

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33 Summary

Electromagnetic Waves • The intensity I of the wave is:

• An electromagnetic wave consists
Eq. 33-26
of oscillating electric and magnetic
fields as given by, • The intensity of the waves at
Eq. 33-1 distance r from a point source of
power Ps is
Eq. 33-2
• The speed of any electromagnetic Eq. 33-27
wave in vacuum is c, which can be
written as Radiation Pressure
Eq. 33-5&3 • If the radiation is totally absorbed by
the surface, the force is
Energy Flow Eq. 33-32
• The rate per unit area at which
energy is trans- ported via an • If the radiation is totally absorbed by
electromagnetic wave is given by the surface, the force is
the Poynting vector S: Eq. 33-33
Eq. 33-19
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
33 Summary

Radiation Pressure • If the original light is initially

• The radiation pressure pr is the force polarized, the transmitted intensity
per unit area. depends on the angle u between
• For total absorption the polarization direction of the
Eq. 33-34 original light (the axis along which
the fields oscillate) and the
• For total reflection back along path, polarizing direction of the sheet:
Eq. 33-35 Eq. 33-26
Polarization Reflection and Refraction
• Electromagnetic waves are polarized if • The angle of reflection is equal to
their electric field vectors are all in a the angle of incidence, and the
single plane, called the plane of angle of refraction is related to the
oscillation. angle of incidence by Snell’s law,
• If the original light is initially
unpolarized, the transmitted intensity I Eq. 33-40
is
Eq. 33-36

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

33 Summary

Total Internal Reflection Polarization by Reflection

• A wave encountering a boundary • A reflected wave will be fully
across which the index of refraction polarized, if the incident,
decreases will experience total internal unpolarized wave strikes a
reflection if the angle of incidence boundary at the Brewster angle
exceeds a critical angle,
Eq. 33-45 Eq. 33-49

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.