Can an Electron's Oscillation Create a Transverse Wave?

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    Electron Oscillating
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether oscillating a single electron can create a transverse wave, particularly in the context of electromagnetic radiation and wave formation. Participants explore the relationship between electron oscillation and wave propagation, referencing principles from physics such as Maxwell's equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if oscillating a single electron up and down would directly create a transverse wave.
  • Another participant explains that accelerating a charge, such as an oscillating electron, will radiate energy and induce electromagnetic radiation due to changing electric fields.
  • A participant mentions that the principles behind this phenomenon are encapsulated in Maxwell's equations, suggesting a theoretical foundation for the "poof" of wave creation.
  • It is noted that the conservation of energy is maintained in this process, as energy is required to accelerate the electron.
  • One participant describes how a vertical antenna radiates electromagnetic waves when electrons are accelerated, using a doughnut shape analogy to illustrate the radiation pattern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of how electron oscillation relates to wave formation. While there are explanations provided, no consensus is reached on the specifics of the process or its implications.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of electromagnetic radiation and the behavior of oscillating charges are present, but these are not fully explored or resolved within the discussion.

constantinou1
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Hello guys,
Ok, so today in school my physics teacher was talking to us about waves and how they are formed etc. He told us that a transverse wave is formed by oscillating an electron and the 'electron oscillates perpendicular to the direction of movement'.
So, here's the problem I can't get my head can't get around:

So for me to create a transverse wave, all I would need to do is get a single electron and oscillate it up and down and *poof* a wave would be created??

Any feedback is appreciated
 
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Whenever charge is accelerated (ie. your oscillation) it will radiate. Charges have an electric field around them, when it is oscillated, the field changes with time. The changing fields induce other fields in electromagnetic radiation. Its like a wave with a string. The string is there regardless, but only when its oscillating that its considered a wave.
 
constantinou1 said:
Hello guys,
Ok, so today in school my physics teacher was talking to us about waves and how they are formed etc. He told us that a transverse wave is formed by oscillating an electron and the 'electron oscillates perpendicular to the direction of movement'.
So, here's the problem I can't get my head can't get around:

So for me to create a transverse wave, all I would need to do is get a single electron and oscillate it up and down and *poof* a wave would be created??

Any feedback is appreciated

Hopefully you are learning about Maxwell's equations right now as well. The "poof" is in the equations... :smile:
 
berkeman said:
Hopefully you are learning about Maxwell's equations right now as well. The "poof" is in the equations... :smile:

And yes, that is how antennas work. Pretty cool, eh?
 
By the standard, the "poof" does retain the conservation of energy in that energy is required to accelerate the electron...at least that is how it is conserved classically I think.
 
The electron has a static field that remains attached, but when it accelerates it produces a electric field that is radiated.
For example a vertical antenna, oriented like a telephone pole, will radiate a pattern when electrons in it are accelerated back and forth vertically.
The pattern produced looks like: imagine a doughnut shape with a very tiny hole in the center; drop the doughnut over the antenna (vertical pole) and that is what the intensity in any direction from a "vertical" conductor looks like.
The energy is put in the electron when it is accelerated, radiated, and then absorbed by other objects (conductors) in the radiated field.
 
Ok, thanks for the great feedback guys, makes things much clearer for me.
 

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