Electromagnetic wave propagation

[bernhard.rothenstein]

Please consider a plane wave that propagates through a dielectric with friendly properties (isotropic, non-conducting...) with speed c/n. What would happen if we remove the dielectric and the wave continues to propagate in empty space?

 

[Meir Achuz]

Then speed = c.

 

[bernhard.rothenstein]

e.m wave

Then speed = c.

Thanks. It is c but what happens from an enegetic point of view?

 

[Meir Achuz]

If the end of the dielectric is a flat face, use of the Fresnel relations show that energ is conserved. Some of the original energy continues, and some is reflected.

 

[country boy]

Thanks. It is c but what happens from an enegetic point of view?

Interesting. Note that the frequency of the light does not change in the medium, only the wavelength. So, with E=hf...