Do electromagnetic waves moving upside down change?

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SUMMARY

Electromagnetic waves do not possess a definitive "upside down" orientation; they are characterized by electric field (##\vec E##) and magnetic field (##\vec B##) vectors that are interrelated through Maxwell's equations. The concept of wave crest and trough applies to the amplitude of the wave but does not imply a spatial orientation. An experiment involving a flashlight demonstrates that light behaves consistently regardless of its orientation, reinforcing the idea that there is no inherent "upside down" for electromagnetic waves.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations
  • Basic knowledge of electromagnetic wave properties
  • Familiarity with electric field (##\vec E##) and magnetic field (##\vec B##) vectors
  • Experience with simple experimental methods in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Maxwell's equations and their implications on electromagnetic wave behavior
  • Explore the properties of electric and magnetic fields in different orientations
  • Conduct experiments demonstrating the behavior of light in various orientations
  • Learn about the applications of electromagnetic waves in communication technologies
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of electromagnetic waves and their applications in technology.

rickyyeungyeung
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do electricmagnetic wave moving in upside down form? So the highest position is wave crest and the lowest is wave trough?
 
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Hi,

As in the other thread: google is your friend

Your perception of electromagnetic waves might need some fine tuning: there is no position and no upside down. There are just ##\vec E## and ##\vec B## field vectors, closely related through the Maxwell equations.

Google e.g. this
 
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Likes   Reactions: davenn
Google may be your friend, but you can answer your own question with a simple experiment:
1. Shine a flashlight with fresh batteries and bulb onto a wall.
2. Slowly rotate the flashlight along its axis until it's upside down watching for any changes in the spot on the wall as you do so.
3. If you see no changes, the conclusion is that light travels just as well upside down as right side up which is equivalent to what @BvU said, "there is no position and no upside down."
 

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