Do electron density waves accompany EM waves in coaxial cables?

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Bob44
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Maxwell’s equations imply the following wave equation for the electric field
$$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}}{\partial t^2}
= \frac{1}{\varepsilon_0}\nabla\rho+\mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf J}{\partial t}.\tag{1}$$
I wonder if eqn.##(1)## can be split into the following transverse part
$$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}_T-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}_T}{\partial t^2}
= \mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf{J}_T}{\partial t}\tag{2}$$
and longitudinal part
$$\frac{1}{\varepsilon_0}\nabla\rho+\mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf{J}_L}{\partial t}=0.\tag{3}$$
Taking the divergence of eqn.##(3)## and substituting in the continuity equation ##\nabla \cdot \mathbf{J}_L=-\partial\rho/\partial t## we obtain a wave equation
$$\nabla^2\rho-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\rho}{\partial t^2}=0.\tag{4}$$
Do these equations describe how transverse EM waves ##(2)## travel down the dielectric in a coaxial cable accompanied by electron density waves ##(4)## in the conductors?
 
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As far as I can see, I think you do get an electron "wave of compression" travelling along a transmission line in addition to the TEM wave. The longitudinal E-field is developed across the inductance-per-unit-length of the line. This applies to any conductor when the applied voltage varies.
 
DaveE said:
Typo in line 4. That wave is moving at the speed of light.
I guess I should use ##\epsilon##, ##\mu## and ##c## appropriate to the material in the coaxial cable.
 
I think so. I believe the wave has the same propagation constants and Zo as the TEM wave, so you don't notice it. It is of small magnitude in a coaxial cable but is important for widely spaced conductors.
 
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Bob44 said:
I guess I should use ##\epsilon##, ##\mu## and ##c## appropriate to the material in the coaxial cable.
The velocity must match that of the EM wave which is ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{\epsilon \mu}}##. If your derivation doesn't produce that then I think it's wrong.