Radiation Pressure: Proving Magnetic Field Reflection on Perfect Conductor

In summary, the conversation discusses how to prove that the magnetic field acting on a surface element during the reflection of an electromagnetic wave on a perfect conductor is worth half the total magnetic field using Ampere's Law. This is to justify the one half factor in the expression of the force acting on the surface element. There is also a discussion about how to insert Latex equations and an alternative way to justify the factor without using Ampere's Law. Finally, the conversation concludes with a solution involving a sheet of surface current and the cancellation of two components of the B field.
  • #1
megaflop
10
0
Hi everyone ! This is my first post!

How can we prove that during the reflection of an electromagnetic wave on the surface of a perfect conductor, the magnetic field [itex] \vec{b} [/itex] acting on a surface element [itex] ds [/itex] is worth half the total magnetic field [itex] \vec{B} [/itex] using Ampere's Law. That is [itex] \vec{b}=\frac{1}{2}\vec{B} [/itex].
This in order to justify the one half factor in the expression of the force acting on [itex] ds [/itex] which is [itex] d\vec{f}=\frac{1}{2}\vec{j_{s}}\times \vec{B} \cdot ds[/itex], where [itex]\vec{j_{s}}[/itex] is the surface current density on the conductor.
A drawing would be welcome.

Thanks in advance for your answersPS: Why does it automatically go to a new line when i insert a Latex equation?
 
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  • #2
When you want an equation to appear "in line", use "itex" in the opening and closing tags, not "tex".
 
  • #3
jtbell said:
When you want an equation to appear "in line", use "itex" in the opening and closing tags, not "tex".

Thank you.
And what about the subject ?
 
  • #4
There's maybe another way to justify the [itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex] factor without using Ampère's law ? It's how it was justified in my textbook but I couldn't understand it.
Anyone ?
 
  • #5
Consider a sheet of surface current K: KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
with the EM wave incident from above. The B field comes from two sources
1) the wave B_W, and 2)the current, B_K. Below the surface (in the metal) B is zero.
That mean the two components of B cancel so B_W=B_K in magnitude and opposite in sign.
Above the surface, B_K changes sign, but B_W doesn't, so the total B field outside is twice the field B_W which acts on the surface current.
 
  • #6
Meir Achuz said:
Consider a sheet of surface current K: KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
with the EM wave incident from above. The B field comes from two sources
1) the wave B_W, and 2)the current, B_K. Below the surface (in the metal) B is zero.
That mean the two components of B cancel so B_W=B_K in magnitude and opposite in sign.
Above the surface, B_K changes sign, but B_W doesn't, so the total B field outside is twice the field B_W which acts on the surface current.

Yep I figured this out.
Thank you for you answer.
 

1. What is radiation pressure?

Radiation pressure is the force exerted by electromagnetic radiation on an object. It is caused by the transfer of momentum from the photons of the radiation to the object.

2. How does radiation pressure prove the existence of magnetic field reflection on a perfect conductor?

Radiation pressure can be used to demonstrate the existence of magnetic field reflection on a perfect conductor by showing that the force exerted by the radiation on the perfect conductor is equal to the force exerted by the magnetic field on the conductor.

3. How is radiation pressure measured?

Radiation pressure can be measured using a variety of methods, including the use of a radiation pressure balance or a torsion balance. These devices measure the deflection or displacement of a test object due to the force of the radiation.

4. What is a perfect conductor?

A perfect conductor is a theoretical material that has zero electrical resistance and can perfectly reflect all incident electromagnetic radiation. It is often used as a simplifying assumption in mathematical models and experiments.

5. What are the practical applications of studying radiation pressure and magnetic field reflection on a perfect conductor?

Understanding radiation pressure and magnetic field reflection on a perfect conductor has practical applications in various fields, including optics, electronics, and aerospace engineering. It can also help in the development of new technologies, such as solar sails for space propulsion.

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