Can a Small EM Field Coexist with a Larger One?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Em Field
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether a small electromagnetic (EM) field can coexist with a larger EM field without the larger field affecting the smaller one. The inquiry touches on concepts of superposition and isolation of fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks if a small EM field can exist without interference from a larger EM field.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on what is meant by "interfere."
  • A participant suggests that the larger field must have some effect on the smaller field, indicating that they cannot exist separately.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the response, indicating engagement with the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is disagreement among participants regarding the coexistence of the two fields, with some asserting that they cannot exist separately while others imply the possibility of isolation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the definitions of interference or the conditions under which fields may coexist, leaving these aspects open to interpretation.

wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
Messages
4,410
Reaction score
551
Sorry if this question is basic.
Can a small EM field be superimposed into a large EM field without
the larger one interfering with the small one?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What exactly do you mean by "interfere?"
 
Tide
I mean, the larger field can have no effect on the smaller field.
and that it can exist in isolation to the the larger field.
 
The resulting field will be a superposition of the 2 fields, it is not possible for them to exist separately.
 
Thankyou Integral.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Two molecules with different polarizability in an EM field
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad How can magnetic fields contain energy?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Do electromagnetic fields have momentum?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Undergrad How Do Time-Varying Currents in Conductors Generate EM Fields and Waves?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Mechanism of Energy Conservation in Zero-Amplitude Sum of EM Waveforms
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
High School Can EM Radiations Exist without a Source?
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
6K
Undergrad How an induced electric dipole vibrates with EM field
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Graduate EM waves, longitudinal EM propagation?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad EM wave propagation: respective phase of E and M field
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad How to obtain Hamiltonian in a magnetic field from EM field?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K