New Reply

Generating Electromagnetic Waves

 
Share Thread
Jun26-12, 12:59 PM   #1
 

Generating Electromagnetic Waves


Every book I ever read describes a electromagnetic wave as a phenomena generated by charged particles accelerating. This will produce a change in electric field that induces a magnetic field.
But, due to Maxwell equations a change in magnetic field will also produce an electric field. So, if a hold a permanent magnet bar into an spring mass system, does it will produce an electromagnetic wave???
PhysOrg.com physics news on PhysOrg.com

>> Kenneth Wilson, Nobel winner for physics, dies
>> Two collider research teams find evidence of new particle Zc(3900)
>> Scientists make first direct images of topological insulator's edge currents
Jun26-12, 04:22 PM   #2
mfb
 
Mentor
How does the permanent magnet generate its magnetic field? With charged electrons and their spin.
How do you change the magnetic field? By accelerating the object with its charges ;).

Moving a permanent magnet up and down should produce electromagnetic waves, probably with a terrible efficiency.
Jun26-12, 08:36 PM   #3
 
So, even a magnetic field is generated by a charged particles accelerated. That's ok.
It means that the only source of electromagnetic waves is a electric charge.

But I've never seen a book or even a example in which a wave is produced by a permanent magnet. Even a pulsar produces its waves because the electrons are being accelerated by a very strong magnetic field.
New Reply

Tags
electromagnetic wave, magnets

Similar discussions for: Generating Electromagnetic Waves
Thread Forum Replies
Why are electromagnetic waves transverse waves? Is this answer ok? Classical Physics 4
Generating Electromagnetic Waves Classical Physics 6
Electron Group Waves & Electromagnetic Waves, energy delivery in a wire Classical Physics 10
Hertzian dipole generating EM Waves. Classical Physics 2
quadrupole generating gravitational waves General Physics 1