Are light waves/ EM waves damped?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that electromagnetic (EM) waves, specifically light waves, are not damped as they travel through space. Instead, their amplitude decreases due to the spreading of energy over a larger area, which results in fewer photons reaching an observer's eye at greater distances. The conversation highlights that collimated light sources, such as lasers, maintain intensity over long distances, further supporting the conclusion that intrinsic damping does not occur. The concept of "tired light" is mentioned as a reference point for understanding light behavior.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics terminology, specifically photon density
  • Knowledge of light intensity and brightness concepts
  • Basic principles of optics, including collimated light sources
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of "tired light" and its implications in astrophysics
  • Study the behavior of collimated light sources, focusing on laser technology
  • Explore the mathematics of light intensity distribution over distance
  • Investigate photon behavior in quantum mechanics and its relation to visibility
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the properties of light and electromagnetic waves, particularly in the context of visibility and distance perception.

Arup Biswas
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We can't see objects from objects far away from us. Why? I think light waves damps! When it reaches our eyes it's amplitude is too small to be visualised! Is this true? If indeed EM waves are damped then why? If not please give a suitable definition for the mentioned phenomena too !
 
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Light traveling through empty space does not lose strength (although it does spread out). The wikipedia article on "tired light" is a good start.
 
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Arup Biswas said:
We can't see objects from objects far away from us. Why? I think light waves damps! When it reaches our eyes it's amplitude is too small to be visualised! Is this true? If indeed EM waves are damped then why? If not please give a suitable definition for the mentioned phenomena too !

It is not damped. It is because the energy gets spread out over a wider area that the amplitude becomes small (in QM terms, the number of photons per unit area becomes smaller) as it goes further from the source. Why do you think a light bulb is harder to look at with your eyes when you are an inch away, versus when you are 100 meters away?

If you have a plane wave, collimated light source, such as a laser, then the intensity or brightness can be preserved over longer distances, and it will be as bright 1 inch away as well as 100 meters away. This, this is easily an indication that there is no intrinsic damping.

Zz.
 
Thanks ZZ I got your point [emoji5][emoji5] At least for now this much will help me to progress [emoji5]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You can work out what fraction of the light from a star reaches your eye. It's the area of your pupil divided by the area of a sphere with a radius equal to the distance to the star. It's a wonder any photons make it.
 

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