Electromagnetic field in vertical

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the behavior of electromagnetic (EM) waves in relation to antenna orientation, specifically when the antenna is positioned vertically above a charge. It clarifies that EM waves propagate spherically from an omnidirectional emitter, and the orientation of the electric field, known as polarization, determines how charges oscillate in response to the wave. The conversation emphasizes that while the electric field accelerates charged particles, the magnetic field's influence is contingent upon the particle's velocity, as described by the Lorentz force law.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic waves and their propagation
  • Familiarity with antenna theory and orientation
  • Knowledge of electric field polarization
  • Basic principles of the Lorentz force law
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the concept of electromagnetic wave polarization in depth
  • Study the Lorentz force law and its applications in electromagnetism
  • Learn about different types of antennas and their radiation patterns
  • Investigate visual resources or simulations that illustrate EM wave propagation
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Students and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and telecommunications, particularly those interested in antenna design and electromagnetic theory.

scientifico
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Hello, I know the electromagnetic field propagates in a 3D space so if I am horizontally aligned with the field I will receive its variation but what if I'm vertically aligned ?

thanks
 
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It isn't clear what you mean.

Are you talking about Electric Field, Magnetic Field or Electromagnetic Waves?
 
electromagnetic waves
 
Are you asking what happens if the orientation of the EM waves electric field changes with respect to you? (Let's use antenna instead of you)
 
yes an antenna put about horizontally compared to the charge will receive the em field variations bat what if the antenna is above it ?
 
scientifico said:
yes an antenna put about horizontally compared to the charge will receive the em field variations bat what if the antenna is above it ?

I don't understand what you mean by "above it". It sounds like you think the EM wave is a squiggly line that travels through the air. This is not true. It is a wavefront that, in an omnidirectional transmitter, is emitted in all directions. This is similar to dropping a rock in water. The waves make a circle as they travel outwards known as a wavefront, and an EM wave makes a spherical wavefront in this case.

The EM wave diagram or graph that you see everywhere represents the vector of the electric and magnetic fields. This just means that as the wave passes over an object, it will push charges in one direction, then stop and push the other way before stopping again and repeating the process. The orientation of the electric field is known as polarization.
 
By above it I mean a situation like this. will antenna 1 receive nothing ?
 

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scientifico said:
By above it I mean a situation like this. will antenna 1 receive nothing ?

This is exactly what I thought you were getting at. Like I said above, that diagram is not what you think it is. The X and Y axis are amplitudes, while the Z is either time or distance. This is only showing you the relationship between phase, amplitude, and the orientation of the VECTOR of the fields. Read my post above again.

An EM wave expands outward in all directions. If it is an omnidirectional emitter the wave will expand outwards in a spherical shape. Again, think of a rock making ripples in a pond, but instead of the 2d ripples that make circles, Em waves make spheres. (Or cones or some other 3d shape depending on the circumstance)
 
so does the charge vibrate in all directions not just up and down ?
 
  • #10
scientifico said:
so does the charge vibrate in all directions not just up and down ?

That depends on the polarization I think, not sure.
 
  • #11
do you know any video which could help me in visualizing and understanding Em waves correctly ?
 
  • #12
scientifico said:
so does the charge vibrate in all directions not just up and down ?
when an electromagnetic wave falls on a charged particle,then the electric field will accelerate it and it gets a velocity in that direction .After it,magnetic field will act because it can not not act if particle does not have a velocity.The magnetic field exerts the force on the charge particle in the direction of propagation of wave,as is easily seen because of lorentz force law.So it is only the E field which will cause the oscillatory motion in up and down direction and that is what is meant by polarization of EM wave.
 

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