E-Field Attenuation: Causes & Effects

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Apteronotus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Attenuation E-field
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the attenuation of electric fields in space, exploring the causes and effects of this phenomenon. Participants consider the relationship between distance and field strength, particularly in the context of gravitational fields and the inverse square law.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether electric fields attenuate in space and seeks to understand the causes of such attenuation.
  • Another participant suggests that fields generally spread out and attenuate according to an inverse square law.
  • Several participants draw parallels between electric fields and gravitational fields, noting that as one moves away from a planet, the gravitational pull decreases, which they describe as attenuation.
  • There is a mention of visualizing field strength through field lines, with denser lines near the source and a decrease in density with distance, aligning with the inverse square law.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express some agreement on the concept of attenuation following the inverse square law, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific causes of attenuation in electric fields.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the inverse square law but do not clarify its application to electric fields specifically, leaving assumptions about the nature of electric field attenuation unexamined.

Apteronotus
Messages
201
Reaction score
0
Do electric fields attenuate in space?

If so what causes the attenuation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I am not sure what you are looking for. In general fields spread out and therefore attenuate, following an inverse square law.
 
When I move away from a planet farther into space, its gravitational pull on me decreases right?

Would you say that the gravitational field is attenuated in space?
What would be causing this attenation?
 
the_emi_guy said:
When I move away from a planet farther into space, its gravitational pull on me decreases right?

Would you say that the gravitational field is attenuated in space?
What would be causing this attenation?

Inverse square law.
 
the_emi_guy said:
When I move away from a planet farther into space, its gravitational pull on me decreases right?

Would you say that the gravitational field is attenuated in space?
What would be causing this attenation?

We can visualize the strength of a field by thinking of field lines. Near the source of the field the field lines are all very dense. As the distance from the object increases the density of the field lines falls off in accordance with the inverse square law. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse-square_law
 
Thank you for your responses.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Incident electric field attenuation near a metallic plate
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Direction of E field and propagation of wave in a conductor
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K
Graduate Moving electric field effect on dielectric/gas
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Visualising visible light Fluorescence
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Electric and magnetic field lines in a plane wave of finite extent
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad E field in a wire
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
899
High School Signal Attenuation (capacitive pickup)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Graduate Skin depth: Same for current as for incoming EM wave?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Percentage of external B field absorbed by inductor?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Microwave Oven door attenuation in dB?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K