- #1
scottwallace
- 2
- 0
Hi everyone,
I have a specific question regarding the nature of electromagnetic waves. I understand he basics of EM waves (frequency, amplitude, wavelength, etc.) and that 'it' is a pair of oscillating fields; one electric and one magnetic, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
What I want to understand is, *what* exactly is oscillating?
I know that all EM radiation is composed of photons... but are the photons themselves traveling a sinusoidal path through space? I suspect not. Is the EM wave pattern simply the total sum of the probabilities of the location of the photons at any given moment?
I am hoping someone can help answer this question for me (and that I've asked it correctly!).
I have a specific question regarding the nature of electromagnetic waves. I understand he basics of EM waves (frequency, amplitude, wavelength, etc.) and that 'it' is a pair of oscillating fields; one electric and one magnetic, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
What I want to understand is, *what* exactly is oscillating?
I know that all EM radiation is composed of photons... but are the photons themselves traveling a sinusoidal path through space? I suspect not. Is the EM wave pattern simply the total sum of the probabilities of the location of the photons at any given moment?
I am hoping someone can help answer this question for me (and that I've asked it correctly!).