Can Light Be Deflected by a Constant Electric Field?

AI Thread Summary
Light does not get deflected by a constant electric field according to classical electrodynamics, as it carries no charge. While light has its own electric and magnetic fields, these do not interact with a constant external electric field in a way that alters its trajectory. The linear nature of classical electrodynamics allows for the separation of the electromagnetic wave's fields from any external fields. Therefore, the presence of an external electric field does not affect the path of light. The discussion concludes that external electric fields have no impact on light's trajectory.
Gavroy
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hi

I asked myself, whether light should be deflected when it is in a constant electric field after classical electrodynamics? Does anybody know this?

I don't really know this...
 
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No because light has no charge .
 
but it has a electric and magnetic field which could interact with the constant field?
 
you know we have electric field on the surface of the earth.if this external electric field had an effect on light trajectory...
 
Gavroy said:
hi

I asked myself, whether light should be deflected when it is in a constant electric field after classical electrodynamics? Does anybody know this?

I don't really know this...

The equations of classical electrodynamics are completely linear. In other words, If I have some solution (E1, B1) to the equations of classical electrodynamics, and I have some other solution (E2, B2), then the sum (E1+E2, B1+B2) is also a solution. This means that the electric field in the electromagnetic wave and the external electric field can be completely separated, so the external electric field has no impact on the light.
 

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