e/m waves and frequency

dervast

Hi i know when i electromagnietic wave changes medium (for example it goes from air to the water) the waveklength dont cchange but the frequency.. How is this explained? Thx a lot

Dr.Brain

Its actually the other way. When EM wave enters from one medium to another . its wavelength decreases but frequency remains the same.

jtbell

And the reason why the frequency has to be the same is that the electric and magnetic fields have to be continuous functions of position. That is, the "ends" of the waves on the two sides of the boundary have to match up. If the frequency were different in the two media, this wouldn't be true most of the time.

Similar Threads for: e/m waves and frequency
Thread	Forum	Replies
Why do different frequency EM Waves behave different ?	Quantum Physics	20
Frequency of waves?	Advanced Physics Homework	2
Waves frequency and mass?	Introductory Physics Homework	2
Frequency of waves	Introductory Physics Homework	7
Shock waves in crystals and frequency changes	General Physics	1

dervast	e/m waves and frequency Tweet Hi i know when i electromagnietic wave changes medium (for example it goes from air to the water) the waveklength dont cchange but the frequency.. How is this explained? Thx a lot

Dr.Brain	Its actually the other way. When EM wave enters from one medium to another . its wavelength decreases but frequency remains the same.

jtbell Mentor	And the reason why the frequency has to be the same is that the electric and magnetic fields have to be continuous functions of position. That is, the "ends" of the waves on the two sides of the boundary have to match up. If the frequency were different in the two media, this wouldn't be true most of the time.