Electric & Magnetic Fields in EM Waves: Explained

[Samujawal]

Why are electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave in phase? Can somebody please explain that?

 

[axmls]

I'd imagine it has to do with the fact that the electric field created is directly proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic field, and the magnetic created is directly proportional to the rate of change of the electric field, but I feel this is a very hand-wavy answer, and I await a more knowledgeable person to provide a more thorough answer.

 

[Samujawal]

I think that it has got something to do with Faraday's Law and Ampere's law. But as you said, let's wait for somebody to give a robust answer.

 

[blue_leaf77]

In general E and B field are not always in phase. They are in phase if there's no net free charge flow in the medium through which the wave propagates, example of such media are dielectric and vacuum (this one not really a medium though). If there is free charge fluctuation such as in conductors the wavevector wouldn't be real anymore (more precisely there is attenuation to the field) and magnetic and electric fields wouldn't be in phase.

Actually the response of material depends on the incoming field frequency, the determining quantity is σ/(εω) where σ, ε, and ω are conductivity, permittivity, and frequency respectively. The bigger that quantity the closer the material to behave as a conductor. For example water can behave as a conductor within certain frequency region.

 

[sophiecentaur]

Why are electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave in phase? Can somebody please explain that?

For a wave in free space, they are in phase, You can justify that by looking at the solution to the wave equation, starting with Maxwells equations. See this link.