Amplitude of an oscillating electric field

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SUMMARY

The amplitude of the oscillating electric field at a distance of 20 km from the broadcast antenna can be calculated using the relationship between intensity and amplitude. Given that the amplitude at 10 km is 4.0 μV/m, the intensity decreases as the square of the distance, leading to a new amplitude of 2.0 μV/m at 20 km. This is derived from the formula for intensity, I, which is proportional to the square of the amplitude, E, and the relationship I ∝ 1/r². Therefore, the amplitude is directly proportional to the square root of the intensity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic wave equations
  • Familiarity with the concept of electric field amplitude
  • Knowledge of intensity and its relationship to distance in wave propagation
  • Basic grasp of the constants involved, such as ε₀ (permittivity of free space) and c (speed of light)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the intensity formula I = 1/2 * ε₀ * E²
  • Learn about the properties of electromagnetic waves and their propagation
  • Explore the relationship between amplitude and intensity in wave mechanics
  • Investigate the implications of distance on electric field strength in practical applications
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Students and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and telecommunications who are interested in understanding the behavior of electric fields and wave propagation in various environments.

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Homework Statement
The amplitude of the oscillating electric field at your cell phone is 4.0 μV/m when you are 10 km east of the broadcast antenna. What is the electric field amplitude when you are 20 km east of the antenna
Relevant Equations
electric field
Homework Statement: The amplitude of the oscillating electric field at your cell phone is 4.0 μV/m when you are 10 km east of the broadcast antenna. What is the electric field amplitude when you are 20 km east of the antenna
Homework Equations: electric field

i've done

E=##\frac A {r^\left(2\right)}##

that in this case is ##4 \times 10^\left(-6 \right)=\frac A {10000^2} ##
i solve for A
##A= 4 \times 10^\left(-6\right) \times 10000^2##
then i divide ##A## by ##20000^2##
but i do not get the right result, why?
 
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The intensity drops off as ##1/r^2##, not the field.
 
Doc Al said:
The intensity drops off as ##1/r^2##, not the field.
Do i have to look in electromagnetic waves formulas?
##E\left(x,t\right)=E_0sin\left(kx-\omega t \right)##

in the data given there is not power so i cannot divide it by the half sphere surface, in order to get the intensity end from there the amplitude.
 
ok i got it
I start from this

##I=\frac 1 2 \times \epsilon_0 \times E^2##

##I= \frac P {half \space sphere \space area}##

## P=\frac {4 \times \pi \times r^2} 2 \times I##

in such way i get the power of the wave
dividing it by the half sphere area with radius 20000 meters i get the new average intensity
then

##E=\sqrt { \frac {I \times 2} {\epsilon_0 \times c}}\space## with ##\space c=3\times 10^8##
 
No need for any calculation. Since the distance doubles, the intensity drops to 1/4. Since the amplitude of the field is proportional to the square root of the intensity, you can immediately find the new amplitude.
 

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