Electric Field vs Magnetic Field vs Electromagnetic waves

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences and relationships between electric fields, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves. Participants explore the nature of these fields, their characteristics, and how they interact with each other, touching on both conceptual and technical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that electric fields and magnetic fields are aspects of the same phenomenon, with electric fields typically being static or varying slowly, while electromagnetic waves involve fields that vary with frequency.
  • One participant questions whether electric and magnetic fields can be considered as electromagnetic waves with different frequencies, seeking clarification on the relationship between the two.
  • Another participant introduces the idea that fields determine the behavior of test particles, noting that magnetic test particles and electric charge test particles respond differently to their respective fields.
  • There is a mention of the visualization of electromagnetic waves, with some participants expressing confusion about their dimensionality, suggesting that electromagnetic waves are three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of careful visualization when considering the generation of waves, indicating that internal representations can influence understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and visualization regarding the relationship between electric fields, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves. There is no clear consensus on the nature of these fields or how they should be visualized, indicating that multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect uncertainty about the definitions and relationships between the fields, and there are references to external resources for further clarification, suggesting that participants may have differing levels of familiarity with the topic.

Jewish_Vulcan
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How are all of the above fields different from each other what makes them what they are?Any comments would be appreciated.
 
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They are all aspects of the same thing. Colloquially speaking electric fields usually implies static electric fields that do not vary in time (or that vary only very slowly), same for magnetic fields. Colloquially speaking about electromagnetic waves implies that the fields vary with some frequency.

Of course electromagnetic waves are composed of electric and magnetic field components that are coupled...
 
M Quack said:
They are all aspects of the same thing. Colloquially speaking electric fields usually implies static electric fields that do not vary in time (or that vary only very slowly), same for magnetic fields. Colloquially speaking about electromagnetic waves implies that the fields vary with some frequency.

Of course electromagnetic waves are composed of electric and magnetic field components that are coupled...
Your explanation is a little vague for me to understand,so correct me if I'm wrong but are electric and magnetic fields an electromagnetic wave with different frequencies?
 
A field determines what a test particle would report for all positions in the field. A magnetic test particle is not an electric charge test particle and they will not be affected by the other field.

A radiation field is described by a radiation detector. A gravity field is described by a gravity detector. And so on.
 
Just be careful how you internally visualize the generation of waves.
 

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