Electromagnetic waves and charge sources

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the interaction between electromagnetic waves and charge sources, exploring whether electromagnetic waves are attracted to charged particles and how they behave in various materials and fields. The scope includes conceptual understanding and technical explanations related to electromagnetic theory.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether electromagnetic waves are attracted to charge sources, drawing an analogy to gravitational attraction.
  • Another participant asserts that electromagnetic waves, being entwined electric and magnetic fields, do not affect charged particles in the same way as gravitational forces.
  • A participant raises the question of whether electromagnetic waves are affected by friction or when moving through materials or fields, suggesting potential changes in path or velocity.
  • In response, another participant defines friction and claims that light does not experience friction, but acknowledges that electromagnetic waves can be affected by different materials, referencing refraction.
  • This participant also states that electromagnetic waves are not influenced by electric or magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interaction of electromagnetic waves with charge sources and the effects of materials and fields on these waves. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of these interactions.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of electromagnetic wave behavior in various contexts, such as the effects of different materials or the nuances of electromagnetic field interactions.

Schreiberdk
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Hi PF

Are there an interaction between an electromagnetic wave and a charge source? For example, does an electromagnetic wave get attracted by a charge source, the same way the Earth attracts the moon? Or is something else going on?
 
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Nope. The electric and magnetic waves in the EM wave are entwined together and can't be separated. So they don't affect the charged particle at all.

This is different from photoionization and all that, where the atom will be affected when there is an em source, exciting an electron to a higher energy state. Still doesn't affect how the electron is though.
 
But would the EM-waves be affected by any kind of friction, when they move through a material or an electric or magnetic field? Would their path or velocity be changed?
 
Friction?

fric·tion/ˈfrikSHən/Noun
1. The resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.
2. The action of one surface or object rubbing against another.

So... No, light doesn't have any friction.

EM waves do get affected when they move through different materials though. Refraction? =)
And no to electric and no to magnetic.
 

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