Understanding EM Radiation: Impact of Changing Magnetic and Electric Fields

In summary, moving or shaking a magnet can result in low frequency and low intensity EM radiation. This can be observed by setting up a coil of wire and connecting it to a sensitive voltmeter. Moving the magnet at a frequency of 500 trillion times per second can result in EM radiation at visible light frequency. The movement of charges, not requiring a medium, causes this radiation. The mechanism for this transmission is still unknown.
  • #1
spidey
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if a changing magnetic field creates a changing electric field and a changing field electric field creates a changing magnetic field, then it will result in EM radiation..
so if i move or shake a magnet,will that result in EM radiation?
 
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  • #2
spidey said:
...so if i move or shake a magnet,will that result in EM radiation?

sure. at a very low frequency (and with pretty low intensity). if you set up a coil of wire in the room and connect it to a very sensitive voltmeter, as you wave the magnet around, you will see the voltage change also. might be pico-volts and the 60 Hz hum that permeates the air around us (50 Hz in Europe) might totally swamp out your EM wave.
 
  • #3
rbj said:
sure. at a very low frequency (and with pretty low intensity). if you set up a coil of wire in the room and connect it to a very sensitive voltmeter, as you wave the magnet around, you will see the voltage change also. might be pico-volts and the 60 Hz hum that permeates the air around us (50 Hz in Europe) might totally swamp out your EM wave.

so if we move the magnet accordingly,we will get EM radiation at visible light frequency...so is this a magnetic torch because light is produced because of magnet? is there any relation between moving the magnet and the frequency of radiation produced because of that
 
  • #4
spidey said:
so if we move the magnet accordingly,we will get EM radiation at visible light frequency...so is this a magnetic torch because light is produced because of magnet? is there any relation between moving the magnet and the frequency of radiation produced because of that

"accordingly" means you have to move it back and forth about 500 trillion times per second. and you won't be able to move it very far in a quadrillionth second before you have to reverse direction and move it in the opposite manner. doesn't matter so much if it's a magnet or a "static" charge, the two interactions are fundamentally the same.

imagine that you and i are standing some distance apart and facing each other. you're holding a positive charge and i am holding a negative charge and that we both are restricting our charges so they cannot move toward each other but they can move up and down and left and right (just not forward or backward). so i move my charge up a meter. since your charge is attracted to mine, your charge also wants to move up a meter and you allow that. then i move it down and your charge follows it down. now i move it to my right (your left) and your charge moves toward your left. then to my left (your right) and your charge follows it.

now i move my charge up and down repeatedly and your charge follows it up and down. that is an electromagnetic wave that originated with me moving my charge around and that wave moved toward you (at the speed of propagation of E&M waves which is "c") and causes your charge to move correspondingly. in a very real sense, my moving charge is a "transmitting antenna" and your moving charge is a "receiving antenna". if, somehow, i could move my charge up and down a million times per second, you could tune your AM radio to 1000 kHz and hear a signal (a silent carrier). if i could move it up and down 100 million times per second, you could tune it in with your FM radio just between the 99.9 and 100.1 settings (provided no other stations were close by). if i could move it up and down 500 trillion times per second, you would see it as a blur of orange colored light. now i can't move it up and down an entire meter 500 trillion times per second because the speed of that movement would exceed c. but i can have a whole pile of like charges and move them up and down maybe 10 microns at a frequency of 500 trillion Hz. that is what happens in a transmitting antenna or something that emits visible light. charges are moving and that causes other charges to move. but they don't react instantaneously (as observed by a third party that is equi-distant to you and i).

that is what light is (from a wave-property perspective, no mention of photons here) and it required no medium for these waves to travel. they just are there because unlike charges attract and like charges repel (that's the fundamental physics) - there need be no medium in between for that to happen.
 
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  • #5
Thanks rbj..A very clear explanation for guys like me..
 
  • #6
rbj said:
"
that is what light is (from a wave-property perspective, no mention of photons here) and it required no medium for these waves to travel. they just are there because unlike charges attract and like charges repel (that's the fundamental physics) - there need be no medium in between for that to happen.

Hi there. (First post here.)
Thanks for the interesting description.
I think I would take issue with that last speculation though. Perhaps we aren't clear on what (if any) medium that these forces affect, but I think we also don't know the mechanism by which this "information" is transmitted through space.
If the Large Hadron Collider discovers new dimensions, perhaps we will get some clues.
 
  • #7
I would also take issue. I do not know if there have been any achievable experiments with regards to the pervasive "virtual particle" aspect of "space' and it's relationship with photon/EMF propagation for example, but that would be interesting.

In any event, great posts by rbj and JerryT.
 
  • #8
pallidin said:
I do not know if there have been any achievable experiments with regards to the pervasive "virtual particle" aspect of "space'

People often consider the Casimir effect experimental evidence for this.
 
  • #9
spidey said:
if a changing magnetic field creates a changing electric field and a changing field electric field creates a changing magnetic field, then it will result in EM radiation..
so if i move or shake a magnet,will that result in EM radiation?
1. Ask yourself: if you get in motion electron (with magnetic moment), is there EM radiation?
2. If this motion is the ground state of H atom, is there EM radiation?
3. If this motion isn't the ground state of H atom, is there EM radiation?

So may be You should get more information about circumstances ?
---------------------------------------------------------
As said by aincient Rome citizens in Latin: Rebus dictantibus
 
  • #10
Minich said:
1. Ask yourself: if you get in motion electron (with magnetic moment), is there EM radiation?
2. If this motion is the ground state of H atom, is there EM radiation?
3. If this motion isn't the ground state of H atom, is there EM radiation?

So may be You should get more information about circumstances ?
---------------------------------------------------------
As said by aincient Rome citizens in Latin: Rebus dictantibus


I am confused..
 
  • #11
is there any relation for this changing magnetic field dphi/dt and frequency of the emitted electromagnetic radiation...i think these two should be directly proportional..

one another doubt..is this electromagnetic radiation is emitted from magnet,if so,will there be any change in the energy of the magnet..
 

1. What is EM radiation and how does it impact our daily lives?

EM radiation, also known as electromagnetic radiation, is a type of energy that travels through space in the form of waves. It is caused by the movement of electrically charged particles. EM radiation encompasses a wide range of wavelengths, from radio waves to gamma rays. In our daily lives, we encounter EM radiation in the form of sunlight, radio and television signals, and even microwaves used for cooking.

2. How do changing magnetic and electric fields affect EM radiation?

Changing magnetic and electric fields are closely related to the production and propagation of EM radiation. When a magnetic field changes, it creates an electric field and vice versa. This creates a self-sustaining wave of energy that travels through space as EM radiation. The strength and speed of the changing fields determine the properties of the EM radiation, such as its wavelength and frequency.

3. What are the potential health impacts of exposure to EM radiation?

There is ongoing research and debate about the potential health impacts of exposure to EM radiation. While high levels of exposure to certain types of EM radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, are known to cause harm, the effects of lower levels of exposure are still being studied. Some studies suggest a possible link between long-term exposure to EM radiation and certain health conditions, but more research is needed to fully understand the potential risks.

4. How can we protect ourselves from the potential negative effects of EM radiation?

There are several ways to reduce exposure to EM radiation. For example, limiting the use of wireless devices and keeping a safe distance from sources of EM radiation can help minimize exposure. Additionally, using protective barriers, such as lead shielding, can also help reduce exposure in certain situations. It is important to follow safety guidelines and regulations set by organizations such as the World Health Organization to minimize potential risks.

5. How does understanding EM radiation and its properties help in various industries and fields of study?

Understanding EM radiation is crucial in various industries and fields of study. In the medical field, it is used for imaging techniques such as X-rays and MRI scans. In telecommunications, it is used for communication and data transfer. In astronomy, it is used to study celestial objects and phenomena. By understanding the properties of EM radiation, we can harness its benefits and use it in various industries and fields to improve our lives.

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