How to Calculate Energy in EM Waves?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating energy in electromagnetic (EM) waves, specifically focusing on energy density and the relationship between electric field strength and energy. Participants are exploring the concepts related to energy density in the context of EM waves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the relationship between energy density and the electric field, questioning whether to use the formula ##υ=εE^2## and if the value of E should be the maximum or the rms value. Some participants suggest clarifying the specific parts of the problem that are confusing, particularly part (B).

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on the need to show attempts at solutions. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the formula for energy density, and a specific question about finding the distance from a transmitter is raised. However, there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that they have not yet covered the topic in class, which may limit their understanding. There is also a note about a missing factor in the energy density formula that has been pointed out.

Arman777
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
2,163
Reaction score
191

Homework Statement


upload_2017-5-22_17-49-41.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I didnt understand much the question. Should I use, ##υ=εE^2## ? Then I ll take rms value of that E.But I am not sure that is that the max value.Is it max value ? I didnt understand part (B)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
kuruman said:
You should make an honest effort to show an attempt at a solution. What part of the problem don't you understand? If it's energy density, look here
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/engfie.html
we didnt see this subject yet..So I am trying to solve the question using just book , and I didnt quite understand.We have energy density and we need to find rms value of E.I wrote like ##u=εE^2## cause it also contains the energy of B-field.So this value is actually used for a instant time.But I think I can take is as a max value of E then ##E_{rms}=E_{max}/(\sqrt 2)##

I didnt understand part b cause I didnt understand what the question wants from us.
 
First, you missed the factor of ##\frac{1}{2}## in the energy density.
Part (b) asks you to find distance ##r## from a 7.5 kW radio transmitter so that the energy density in a sphere of radius ##r## has the value 4×10-14 J/m3.
 
I solved thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K