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Chapter 22 Lecture Notes

Formulas:

ΣB⎥⎥∆l = µoI + µoεo∆ΦE/∆t

ΦE = EA
λ = c/f

S = P/A = U/tA =uV /tA = uc

u = U/V = (1/2)εoE2 + 1/(2µo)B2 =εoE2 = (1/µo)B2

Demonstrations:

z Show a transverse wave (rope), and a longitudinal wave

(slinky).
z Energy of a short wave transmitter
z EM spectrum

Electromagnetic Waves

Changing Electric Fields Produce Magnetic Fields

We have learned in Chapter 21 that changing magnetic fields

create electric fields. In the mid-1800's, the famous Scottish
physicist James Clerk Maxwellhypothesized that changing electric
fields might also create magnetic fields and that this interaction would
create electromagnetic (EM) waves, waves of oscillating electric and
magnetic fields. He predicted that the speed of these electromagnetic
waves would be the speed of light. Consequently, he predicted that visible
light was an electromagnetic wave. Let's look at the first part of his
theory, that changing electric fields produce magnetic fields.

Your book describes how Maxwell hypothesized something called

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the displacement current , which was shown to be equivalent to a changing electric

flux. That is

ID= εo∆ΦE/∆t

where the electric flux (ΦE) is defined in the same way as the magnetic flux, the amount of
electric field going through an area.

ΦE = EA

Maxwell showed that with this definition, Ampere's Law had an additional term and
should be written.

ΣB⎥⎥∆l = µoI + µoεo∆ΦE/∆t

Recall that Ampere's Law stated in mathematical terms that a current produced a
magnetic field. With this additional term, Maxwell showed that a changing electric flux
would create a magnetic field, as well. So now we have the ideas that a changing
electric flux creates a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic flux creates an electric
field. Maxwell realized that this would lead to the production and self-propagation of
electromagnetic waves. Let's see how this works.

Production of EM Waves

Let's assume we have an antenna, which is just some kind of wire that is connected
to an ac source. The ac source produces oscillating + and - charges which set up
electric field (due to the separation of charge) and a magnetic field (due to the current in
the wire).

Note that the electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other. This field begins to
move away from the antenna and in a little while the ac source has caused the situation to
reverse.

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We have a magnetic field that is oscillating in and out of the paper and an electric
field that is oscillating up and down in the paper. Since a changing magnetic field
creates an electric field and a changing electric field creates a magnetic field, these two
oscillating fields continue to reinforce each other, and the wave propagates through
space.

We have shown how to create an EM waves using an antenna. In general,

electromagnetic waves are created by any accelerating charge.

The Nature of EM Waves

What are the properties of these electromagnetic waves?

Transverse Wave

Demonstration: Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

They are transverse waves. That means the direction of oscillation is perpendicular
to the direction of motion. The electric and magnetic fields are sinusoidally oscillating
perpendicular to the direction of motion.

Composed of Electric and Magnetic Fields

The waves are composed of electric and magnetic fields. As we have seen,

1. The fields are oscillating

2. The fields are at right angles to each other
3. The fields are at right angles to direction of motion
4. The fields are in phase. The peak of the magnetic field occurs at the same time as the peak
of the electric field.

The Speed of EM Waves

One amazing thing about Maxwell's hypothesis was that he predicted what the
speed of electromagnetic radiation should be. The book shows briefly how to calculate
this from principles that we already know. Using a similar method, Maxwell showed that
the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum would be

c =(εoµo)-1/2

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c = 1/[(8.85×10-12C2/(N-m2)(4π×10-7T-m/A)]1/2

c = 3.00×108 m/s2

We check that the units are okay.

F = ILB⇒ N = C⋅m⋅T/s T = N⋅s/C⋅m

Amps = C/s, so the units above are

{(N⋅m2/C2)(C⋅m/N⋅s)(1/m)(C/s)}1/2 = {m2/s2}1/2 = m/s

This is amazing. He predicted that the speed of light would be exactly what we
measure it to be. Galileo had tried to measure the speed of light using lanterns and an
assistant at a distant location. A more accurate way of measuring the speed of light is
using a rotating mirror.

The eight-sided mirror rotates, and the eye can only see the light from the box when
the mirror rotates exactly 1/8 of a revolution in the time it takes the light to bounce off
the mirror and come back. Since the time it takes to make one rotation is given by the
period, T = 1/f = 2π/ω, one eighth of a rotation takes a time of t =π/4ω,

Or v = d/t = 4dω/π

So by knowing the angular rotation (ω) and the distance (d) precisely, one can measure the
speed of light precisely.

The speed of light is FAST. It is 3.00×108 m/s2 or 186,000 miles/second.

PROBLEM: The sun is about 1.5×1011 m from the earth. How long
does it take light to get here?

1.5×1011 m/(3×108 m/s) = 500 seconds/60 s/m = 8.3 minutes

The Spectrum of EM Waves

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Electromagnetic waves come in a variety of wavelengths that appear very different

to our senses or detectors, but are all electromagnetic waves. These include: radio
waves (AM, FM), television signals, microwaves, infrared waves (heat), visible light,
ultraviolet rays (cause skin cancer), x-rays, gamma rays. Because these are all
electromagnetic waves,

1. They have the same speed.

2. They have different frequency and wavelength.

The velocity of a wave is given by

v = c = λf.

So if I know the frequency, I can determine the wavelength, and vice versa.

Demonstration: The em spectrum.

I show one characteristic frequency, when really everything is a range.

Name Frequency Wavelength (λ) Time for one λ

Extra Low Freq 60 Hz 5000 km (5×106) 17 ms (1.7×10-2)

Audio Frequency 10 kHz (1×104) 30 km (3×104) 100 µs (1×10-4)
Radio Frequency 222 MHz (2×108) 1.4 m 4.5 ns (4.5×10-9)
Microwave 10 GHz (1×1010) 30 mm (3×10-2) 100 ps (1×10-10)
Infrared (Heat) 10 THz (1×1013) 30 µm (3×10-5) 100 fs (1×10-13)
Visible 600 Thz (6×1014) 500 nm (5×10-7) 1.7 fs (1.7×10-15)
Ultraviolet 1×1016 Hz 30 nm (3×10-8) .1 fs (1×10-16)
X-ray 1×1018 Hz 300 pm (3×10-10) 1×10-18 s
Gamma-ray 1×1020 Hz 3 pm (3×10-12) 1×10-20 s

The Energy of EM Waves

We have seen in our study of electricity and magnetism that there is energy stored in
a magnetic field and in an electric field. They have energy densities.

ue = (1/2)εoE2

um = (1/2µo)B2

Because em waves are oscillating electric and magnetic fields, they, too carry energy.
In an em wave, the total energy density is just the sum of the contributions from the electric and
magnetic waves.

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u = (1/2)εoE2 + (1/2µo)B2

The energy carried in the magnetic field is the same as the energy in the electric field.

(1/2)εoE2 = (1/2µo)B2 so E = cB

So we can write density as u = εoE2 or u = (1/µo)B2

As always with sinusoidal waves

ERMS = (1/√2)Eo and BRMS = (1/√2)Bo

We often measure the energy stored in an em wave by measuring its intensity, which
is the total power that passes through a unit area. (This heat is intense. Your body is
the area). (S is the intensity)

S = P/A = U/tA measured in watts/m2

S = uV/tA (V is volume = Al = Avt = Act)

S = uAct/tA = uc

S = (1/2)cεoE2 + (c/2µo)B2 or S = cεoE2 or S = (c/µo)B2

Demonstration: Show power transferred in short wave radio and with heating element.

PROBLEM : A light bulb has an RMS power output of 100 watts.

If I am standing 2 meters from the bulb, how much energy do I feel
on my face in one minute if my face has an area of 0.02 m2?

When the light has gone a distance of 2 meters from the bulb,
the 100 watts has spread out into a cross sectional area given
by the 4πr2 = 4π(2m)2 = 50.3m2.

The average power per unit area is then given by

S = P/A =100 W/(50.3 m)2 = 2.0 W/m2

and the average power reaching my face is

P = SA = (2.0 W/m2)(0.02 m2) = .040 W

U = Pt = (0.40 W)(60 s) = 2.4 Joules

What is the rms magnetic field incident on my face?

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S = (c/µo)B2
B = (µoS/c)1/2 = {(4π×10-7 T⋅m/A)(2.0 W/m2)/(3.00×108 m/s)}1/2
B = 9.2×10-8 T

Check the units:

(T⋅m⋅W⋅s/A⋅m3) 1/2 = (T⋅m⋅s⋅{(N⋅m)/s}/A⋅m3) 1/2 = (T⋅N/A⋅m) 1/2 = (T2) 1/2 = T

Developer: Dr. Joseph W. Howard

Salisbury University
Last modified August 28, 2002 @13:24EST
Copyright © Joseph W. Howard. All rights reserved.
Salisbury, Maryland 21801-6862

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