Light waves propagate with no medium

[mrcotton]

I have come to accept that the luminiferous aether does not exist.

When we say that the electromagnetic wave is an oscillation of the electromagnetic field, then is not the electromagnetic field itself a medium that permeates all space?

This is probably a dumb question, but I am as dumb as I look!

 

[mrcotton]

It was a dumb question then?

I suppose the answer is that a medium for other waves is made of material particles and the electromagnetic field is not.

 

[HallsofIvy]

No, it is not a dumb question but it was only 3 and a half hours since you posted it. People don't sit around waiting for someone to post a question.

As to your question, yes, the "electromagnetic field" is a field that permeates space. But a "field" is not the same thing as "ether" or some actual material.

 

[mrcotton]

Thanks for the response HallsofIvy,
3 and a half hours, I must move fast because it seemed like an eternity to me. (This excuse never washes for my gain in mass over the years either)
I am always happy to wait for the excellent responses on physics forums, I guess on reading around in the other threads I thought I had asked a really dumb question.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=86691

I came across this old thread and really enjoyed the direction this has sent me in.

 

[sardar]

I can understand your confusion and I am happy to clarify. While it is true that the electromagnetic wave is an oscillation of the electromagnetic field, this does not mean that the field itself is a physical medium. The electromagnetic field is a fundamental property of space, and it does not require a physical medium to exist or propagate. This is one of the key principles of modern physics, as we have come to understand that light and other electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, without the need for a medium such as the luminiferous aether. This concept has been extensively tested and confirmed through numerous experiments and observations. So, rest assured, your question is not dumb at all, it shows a curiosity and willingness to learn, which are essential qualities for a scientist.