Understanding Reflection and Ion Movement in EM Waves

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the concepts of reflection and ion movement in electromagnetic (EM) waves, particularly in conductors and water. It establishes that the reflection observed is not the incident wave itself but rather waves radiated by oscillating electrons in response to the incident wave. The phenomenon of skin depth is highlighted, indicating that deeper penetration of the incident wave leads to oscillation and radiation of electrons, which can cancel out the incident wave. In water, the lack of free electrons results in minimal radiation, yet reflection still occurs due to the water's volume.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of skin depth in conductors
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic wave behavior
  • Familiarity with electron oscillation and radiation
  • Basic principles of wave reflection and refraction
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of skin depth in conductors and its implications on EM wave propagation
  • Study the behavior of electromagnetic waves in different mediums, focusing on water
  • Explore the relationship between ion movement and frequency in conductive materials
  • Learn about wave decomposition and point source radiation in electromagnetic theory
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism, particularly those interested in wave behavior in various materials.

Thierry12
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
1. Since skin depth is the attenuation of the wave in a conductor, this means the reflection isen't the incident wave... so what is the reflection?

2. Water doesn't stop light since it's frequency is too high, i saw on forum it's because the big ions can't move fast enought. How can that be? Wont they move as the same frequency as the wave?

Ty
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Thierry12 said:
1. Since skin depth is the attenuation of the wave in a conductor, this means the reflection isen't the incident wave... so what is the reflection?

2. Water doesn't stop light since it's frequency is too high, i saw on forum it's because the big ions can't move fast enought. How can that be? Wont they move as the same frequency as the wave?

Ty

The incident wave penetrates deeper than the skin layer. It makes the electrons oscillate and radiate in all directions. The waves radiated in the incident wave direction add with the incident wave. The thicker layer, the more intense the radiated wave. It happens it has the opposite sign amplitude. So the radiated and incident waves gradually cancel when you go inside.

The waves radiated with the electrons in the opposite direction are called the "reflected" waves.

In water there too few free electrons to radiate under the incident wave influence. Yet the same phenomenon takes place, so you have reflection from the water volume too.

Bob.
 
thanks a lot!
 
Can someone tell me why waves arent coming out of every borders since it radiates in all directions?
 
The total wave does not radiate in every direction though. You can decompose any wave into being the result of a summation of point sources. These point sources radiate in all directions using a spherical wave. But the sum total of all these sources is not guaranteed to radiate isotropically.

Either way though, for the most part there is generally some reflection of waves off of all surfaces.
 
thanks a lot for the help again!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
3K