Angle between electric and magnetic field

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in electromagnetic theory (EMT) concerning the relationship between electric field E and magnetic field B in different reference frames. The original poster is tasked with finding the cosine of the angle between E' and B' in a new frame, given that E and B are parallel in the initial frame and related by E = cB.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions how E and B can be parallel, noting that they are typically perpendicular to each other and the direction of wave propagation. Other participants inquire about the exact wording of the problem statement and express concern over the absence of wave context.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the problem statement. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of the fields, suggesting that if the fields are not part of an electromagnetic wave, their parallelism is plausible.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted emphasis on the exact wording of the problem statement, as it significantly influences the interpretation of the relationship between the electric and magnetic fields.

Jigyasa
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
1. Homework Statement
Hi. This is my first question on PF so please forgive me if something's not right

So I'm stuck at this question in EMT
In frame1, E and B are parallel and related by E=cB. We are required to find the cosine of the angle between electric field E' and magnetic field B' in another frame (The answer is to be in terms of B and B')

2. Homework Equations
We know that if E = Eo*e^(ik.r-wt) along n vector
then B = Bo*e^(ik.r-wt) along (n X k), where k is the wave propagation vector.and Bo = Eo/c

3. The Attempt at a Solution
Well I'm stuck at the first line itself. How can E and B be parallel? They're both always at 90 deg to each other as well as to the direction of propagation of the wave (as shown by the directions in the above two equations), isn't it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is this the exact wording of the problem? It mentions nothing about a wave. Please always reproduce the problem statement exactly as given.
 
Orodruin said:
Is this the exact wording of the problem? It mentions nothing about a wave. Please always reproduce the problem statement exactly as given.

I am afraid this is the exact wording of the problem.
 
If that is the case then your field is not an EM wave and there is no reason why the E and B field cannot be parallel.
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
1K