Task 1 - Electromagnetic waves in open media

Individual work format

JOSE FERNANDO ROBLES CALDERON

Group 203058A_954

1096201986

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL ABIERTA Y A DISTANCIA UNAD

Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Tecnología e Ingeniería
Teoría Electromagnética y Ondas
2021 02-10
 Exercises development

Activity
Answers: (write with your own words)
1. In the context of electromagnetic waves, what is an open
propagation medium?
The propagation medium refer to the different existing media, whether they
are (liquid, physical, gaseous) among others, and the different conditions
of temperature and pressure, all these conditions allow the effective
propagation of waves.

2. Within the propagation mediums, what is the meaning of the “Loss

Tangent”?
The loss tangent is the measurement of insulation that may exist in a
propagation medium, it is applied to different electromagnetic devices, it is a
measure that allows calculating the dielectric losses of an insulation system.
3. How the propagation medium is classified according to the value of
the “Loss Tangent”?
When the loss tangent tends to be very high, the medium is classified as a
conductor, on the contrary, when the tangent is very low or tends to 0, the
medium is said to be dielectric
4. Define the propagation parameters for waves traveling through a
medium (they are different from the wave parameters).
Intrinsic impedance: It is the relationship between the magnitude of the
electric field and the magnitude of the magnetic field associated with a wave.
Propagation constant: It is the spatial equivalent of the angular frequency and
expresses the increment of the wave cycle measured in radians per unit of
distance. A property of a sinusoidal plane wave equal to twice the pi divided by
the wavelength.
Attenuation constant: The attenuation constant determines the spatial decay of
a wave.
Application exercise:
The following 5-step exercise describes the method to characterize an
electromagnetic wave when propagating in an open environment, for which,
each student must choose 1 propagation media of the proposed in Table 1 and
announce it within the Task 1 forum to avoid repetition.
Table 1: Conductivity σ and electrical permittivity ε rof some media.

Media σ [S /m] εr [ ]
1. Copper 5.80 x 107 1
2. Sea water 4 80
3. Air 5.5 x 10−15 1.0005
4. Vegetable soil 1.00 x 10−2 14
5. Dry soil 1.00 x 10
−4
3
6. Sweet water 1.00 x 10−3 80
7. Vacuum 0 1
ε =ε r ε o ; ε o =8.8542 x 10−12 C 2 / N m2

1. Calculate the tangent of losses Tan (δ) and the angle of losses δ of the
medium chosen in Table 1, if through it travel an electromagnetic wave E
of frequency f =(CCC+10) MHz. Note that CCC are the last 3 digits of your
identification number.
σ σ
tan ( δ )= =
ω ε 2 πf ε r ε o

Example:
Identification number: 1096201986, then CCC=986

Then: f =( 986+ 10 ) MHz=996 MHz=996 x 106 Hz

Selected propagation medium: Copper

Conductivity: σ =5.80 x 107 S /m

Electrical permittivity: ε r=1

Attention, for the calculations:

1. Replace your values (with units) in the equation.
2. Perform the operation on a virtual scientific calculator. *
3. Paste the calculator image into the report.
4. Write the answer with your units.
If the image is not included, the exercise rating is 0 points.
* You can use https://www.geogebra.org/scientific

σ σ 5.80 x 107 S/m

tan ( δ )= = =
ω ε 2 πf ε r ε o 2 π∗996 x 106 Hz∗1∗8.8542 x 10−12 C 2 /N m 2

Note that ω=2 πf and ε =ε r ε o

Example:

Figure 1: operation 1 on a virtual scientific calculator.

tan ( δ )=1. 5 x 10−12

2. According to the result obtained in point 1, classify the behavior of the

chosen medium according to one of the 5 options in Table 2:

Table 2: Classification of propagation media.

Media Tan(δ) δ [°]
1. Perfect dielectrics (Not dissipative) Tan(δ) = 0 δ = 0°

2. Good insulators (Lost low dielectric) 0 < Tan(δ) <= 0,1 0° < δ <= 6°

3. Dissipative dielectrics (Dielectrics with losses) 0,1 < Tan(δ) <= 10 6° < δ <= 84°

4. Good conductors (Good conductors) Tan(δ) > 10 84°< δ < 90°

5. Perfect conductors (Perfect conductors) Tan(δ) >>> 10 δ = 90°

3. According to the classification obtained in point 2 and using Table 3 shown
below, calculate the following propagation parameters of the wave in the
chosen medium:
 a. Propagation constant  (gamma).
b. Attenuation constant  (Alpha).
c. Phase constant  (Beta).

Table 3: Propagation parameters in open media.

Paramete Not Lost low Dielectrics with Good

r dissipative dielectric losses conductors
γ jω √ με jω √ με √ jωμ(σ + j ωε) √ jω σ μo
α 0 ση/2 ℜ¿) √ πf σ μ o
β ω √ με ω √ με ℑ() √ πf σ μ o
η √ μ/ε √ μ/ε √ jω μ/(σ+ j ωε) √ jω μo /σ
−6
μ=μ r μ o ; μ r=1 ( non−magnetic media ) ; μ o=1.2566 x 10 T m/ A

Attention, for the calculations:

1. Replace your values (with units) in the equation.
2. Perform the operation on a virtual scientific calculator. *
3. Paste the calculator image into the report.
4. Write the answer with your units.
If the image is not included, the exercise rating is 0 points.
* You can use https://www.geogebra.org/scientific

a. Propagation constant  (gamma).

γ = jω √ με
γ = j2 πf √ μr μo∗¿ ε r ε o ¿

m
√ (
γ = j2 π (996 x 10 6 Hz) 1∗ 1.2566 x 10−6 T
A )
∗1∗( 8.8542 x 10−12 C2 / N m2)
 Figure 2: operation 2 on a virtual scientific calculator.
γ =¿ 20.87 i

b. Attenuation constant  (Alpha).

α =ση /2

μ
α=
σ
√
2
ε

μr μo

α=
σ
√ εr εo
2
−6

α=
5.80 x 107 S /m
√ 1∗( 1.2566 x 10 T m/ A )
1∗( 8.8542 x 10−12 C2 / N m 2)
2
α =109225010467.6 N p /m

c. Phase constant  (Beta).

β=ω √ με
β=2 πf √ μr μo∗ε r ε o

m
√
β=2 π ( 996 x 106 Hz ) 1.2566 x 10−6 T
A
∗1∗( 8.8542 x 10−12 C 2 /N m 2 )

β=0.0 0000000 33356 rad /m

4. According to the results obtained in point 3 and using the following
equations, calculate the propagation characteristics of the wave in the
chosen medium:
a. Propagation speed v p .
b. Wavelength λ .
c. The penetration depth of the δ pwave in the medium.

Perform the operation on a virtual scientific calculator, paste the image of the
operation on the report, then write the final result including the units.

a. Propagation speed v p .

ω
V p=
β
2 πf
V p=
β
 2 π∗996 x 106 Hz
V p=
0.0000000033356 rad /m

V p=187613 m/ s

b. Wavelength λ .

2π
λ=
β
2π
λ=
0.0000000033356rad /m
λ=1883674693 .36 m
 c. The penetration depth of the δ pwave in the medium.

1
δ p=
|a|
1
δ p=
|109225010467.6 N p /m|
δ p=0.0000092 m
 Interpretation
Interpretation: According to the concepts explored, explain in your own words the meaning
and the result obtained for: tan ( δ ) , V p , λ and δ p.

The wavelength, represented by λ, shows us the length of the wave and in the same way we can
know with that length how short or long its range can be.
The penetration of the wave in a medium is the ability of the wave to expand in it, not all media
behave the same, some media allow waves to penetrate in large quantities, as there are others
that could be said to be almost insulating and do not allow a very deep penetration but rather
superficial.

Application example

Example: Current flows easily through copper thanks to its small electrical
resistance, without much loss of energy. This is why copper wires are used in
mains cables in houses and underground (although overhead cables tend be
aluminium because it is less dense). However, where size rather than weight is
important, copper is the best choice. Thick copper strip is used for lightning
conductors on tall buildings like church spires. The copper strip has to be thick
so that it can carry a large current without melting.

Copper wire can be wound into a coil. The coil will produce a magnetic field
and, being made of copper.

Video link

URL:
 References

Reference 1:

Examples of reference formats:

Physical book.
Surname, A., & Surname, B. (Year). Title of the book. (pp. xx-xx). City,
Country: Editorial.

Chapter of a physical book.

Surname, A., & Surname, B. (Year). Title of the chapter or the entry. Title of
the book (pp. xx-xx). City, Country: Editorial.

EBook.
Surname, A. (Year). Title of the book. (pp. xx-xx). Country: Editorial.
Retrieved from http: // ...

Chapter of an electronic book.

Surname, A., & Surname, B. (Year). Title of the chapter or the entry. Title of
the book (pp. xx-xx). City, Country: Editorial. Retrieved from http: // ...

Internet video.
Surname, N. (Year). Title of the video Video server [Video]. Retrieved from
http: // ...