Amplitude of an oscillating electric field

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the amplitude of an oscillating electric field related to a broadcast antenna, specifically examining how the amplitude changes with distance from the source. The subject area includes concepts from electromagnetism and wave physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between electric field amplitude and distance, questioning the original poster's calculations and assumptions regarding intensity and amplitude. Some participants suggest considering electromagnetic wave formulas and the relationship between intensity and amplitude.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with some participants providing insights into the relationship between intensity and amplitude. The original poster appears to be reconsidering their approach based on feedback. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being discussed, particularly regarding the formulas and concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of power data in the original problem statement, which complicates the calculations related to intensity and amplitude. There is also a mention of homework constraints that may affect the approach taken.

DottZakapa
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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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