Electric field and electromagnetic waves

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between electric fields and electromagnetic waves, specifically addressing the limitations of Coulomb's law for moving charges. It is established that Coulomb's law applies only to static charges, while accelerating charges generate electromagnetic waves as described by Maxwell's equations. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the Liénard-Wiechert potentials for analyzing moving charges and emphasizes that a wave is produced only when a charge accelerates. Additionally, it clarifies that the propagation of electromagnetic effects is constrained by the speed of light, as dictated by special relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's law and its limitations for moving charges
  • Familiarity with Maxwell's equations and their implications for electromagnetic fields
  • Knowledge of Liénard-Wiechert potentials for analyzing electric fields of moving charges
  • Basic concepts of special relativity and its effect on electromagnetic wave propagation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of Liénard-Wiechert potentials
  • Learn about Maxwell's equations and their role in electrodynamics
  • Explore the relationship between electric field lines and field amplitude using simulations
  • Investigate the effects of charge acceleration on electromagnetic wave generation
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetism and wave propagation.

kent davidge
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(sorry for my poor english) I've read that a electromagnetic wave only exists in a particular point of space if in such a point there is a nonlinear change of the electric field in respect to time. Then I took a graph calculator and I derived Coulombs equation for the electric field. The results are shown below.
What surprised me was that when the charge is accelerating, the curve of the rate of change of the field in two points on the same horizontal axis has different forms (maximum points are different). Has it anything to do with the statement I mentioned above? Also, even so I don't know why would it be a wave if these two points has different rate of change at the same time.

6MlkylL.jpg
 
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Start from the beginning. What kind of charge are you accelerating? (a point charge?) What is the path of the charge?
What are you plotting? What are the x and y axes on your plot, and what is point 1 and point 2?
What do you mean by nonlinear?
 
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Yes. It's a point charge. By nonlinear I mean a plotted graph E x t where the function isn't a line.
1KP35H6.jpg
 
But why I can't use Coulomb's law if the distance is a function of time and I properly derived the field in respect to time?
 
Because Coulomb's law is only valid for static charges. For slow moving charges (compared to the speed of light), it can be fairly accurate, but you can't get waves from Coulomb's law. A moving charge will create a current and a magnetic field. Have a look at Maxwell's equations. If you are in self study, be patient, because normally students learn electrostatics, and then magnetostatics, before learning electrodynamics.
 
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Ok. What must happen with the magnitude of the electric field in those two points of my example right before and after a wave passing through them?
 
You only get a wave when you have an accelerating charge. The constant moving charge will have a field, but it won't be a wave.
According to special relativity, no information can travel faster than the speed of light. That means if you accelerate a charge, it will take some time (distance divided by c) before the field is affected at some distant point. Coulomb's law doesn't take this into account.
This might be useful
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/radiating-charge
But it shows the electric field lines, not the electric field amplitude. You can estimate the amplitude by looking at how close together the lines are.
 
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