Electromagnetic waves and charge sources

[Schreiberdk]

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?

 

[Bloodthunder]

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.

 

[Schreiberdk]

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?

 

[Bloodthunder]

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.