Can Magnetic Fields Be Polarized Like Light?

AI Thread Summary
Magnetic fields can exhibit polarization similar to light, as both electric and magnetic fields are orthogonal in propagating beams. When light is polarized, the orientation of its electric field affects the corresponding magnetic field. Rotating the polarization state of light will also result in a rotation of the magnetic field. The concept of polarization primarily applies to the electric field, but the magnetic field behaves analogously. Understanding this relationship is crucial for exploring the dynamics of electromagnetic waves.
db1uover
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Can magnetic fields be polarized like light? I heard sometime ago that light can be rotated about the horizontal axis by some theta. Is it possible to rotate it far enough that it becomes a magnetic field? If so, can you regain the light field?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The term 'polarization' usually refers specifically to the direction of the electric field. However, the magnetic field can certainly behave in the same sense of the term. For example, linearly polarized light propogating in 'z' has the electric field oriented in 'x' and the magnetic field in 'y'.

However, rotating the polarization state of light will also rotate the magentic field- the electric and magnetic fields must remain orthogonal to support propogating beams.
 
Thread 'Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux'

Thread 'Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux'

So here is the motional EMF formula. Now I understand the standard Faraday paradox that an axis symmetric field source (like a speaker motor ring magnet) has a magnetic field that is frame invariant under rotation around axis of symmetry. The field is static whether you rotate the magnet or not. So far so good. What puzzles me is this , there is a term average magnetic flux or "azimuthal mean" , this term describes the average magnetic field through the area swept by the rotating Faraday...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux
Replies
5
Views
82
I Charge movement relative to magnetic field frame dependence/invariance
Replies
5
Views
850
I Homopolar generator question: Magnetic “wake”
Replies
7
Views
3K
B Experiment issues (electromagnetism)
Replies
42
Views
2K
I Geometry of Magnetic field lines as they approach a magnet pole?
Replies
28
Views
3K
B Magnetic Fields and Particle Movement: How Do Magnets Affect Electrons?
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Behaviour of Magnetic Fields Underwater
Replies
2
Views
3K
I Railgun: Significant magnetic field where projectile is?
Replies
8
Views
1K
I Hall effect -- is it always applicable?
Replies
7
Views
2K
I How induction works within a coil (nuances of it)
Replies
6
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top