In Mechanical Wave v = w/k. EM wave w/k = c. How Equated ?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between mechanical waves and electromagnetic (EM) waves, specifically the equation ω/k = c, where ω represents angular frequency and k is the wave number. Participants clarify that while the velocity of propagation for transverse waves is independent of amplitude, the ratio of maximum electric field (Em) to maximum magnetic field (Bm) is equal to c, as derived from Maxwell's equations. The leading edges of the electric and magnetic fields in their respective planes propagate at the speed of light, c, confirming the fundamental relationship between these wave properties.

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morrobay
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With ω/k = 2π/T / 2π/λ = velocity for both transverse mechanical waves and EM waves.
I can understand velocity as distance over time in mechanical wave. But how is the ratio Em/Bm = ω/k = c.
That is the maximum amplitudes of the E and B fields in the y and z planes corresponding to c in x direction ?
Is it correct to say that the " leading edges" of the E and B fields in y and z planes are at c ?

http://www.santarosa.edu/~lwillia2/42/WaveEquationDerivation.pdf
 
Last edited:
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morrobay said:
With ω/k = 2π/T / 2π/λ = velocity for both transverse mechanical waves and EM waves.
I can understand velocity as distance over time in mechanical wave. But how is the ratio Em/Bm = ω/k = c.
That is the maximum amplitudes of the E and B fields in the y and z planes corresponding to c in x direction ?
Is it correct to say that the " leading edges" of the E and B fields in y and z planes are at c ?

http://www.santarosa.edu/~lwillia2/42/WaveEquationDerivation.pdf

Too late edit : With dE/dx and t constant, dB/dt and x constant --> ∂E/∂x = - ∂B/∂t ... then to ω/k = Em/Bm = c. Does answer the change in x/change in t question. Again still not sure how this is related to amplitudes ?
 
morrobay said:
Too late edit : With dE/dx and t constant, dB/dt and x constant --> ∂E/∂x = - ∂B/∂t ... then to ω/k = Em/Bm = c. Does answer the change in x/change in t question. Again still not sure how this is related to amplitudes ?
The velocity of propagation for a transverse wave is not related to the amplitude of the wave at all.
 
SteamKing said:
The velocity of propagation for a transverse wave is not related to the amplitude of the wave at all.
Well that's my question , with ω/k = Emax/Bmax = c. (from Halliday-Resnick) The propagation velocity is related to amplitude. Unless I am misinterpreting Em/Bm
 
This is from a page in the text : kEm cos (kx-ωt) = ωBm cos (kx-ωt).
ω/k = Em/Bm = c
Thus the speed of wave c is the ratio of the amplitude of the electric and magnetic components of the wave.
So can someone show how Em/Bm = ω/k ?
 
morrobay said:
So can someone show how Em/Bm = ω/k ?

Consider the following plane wave as an example: $$\vec E = \hat x E_m \cos (kz - \omega t) \\ \vec B = \hat y B_m \cos (kz - \omega t) $$ where ##\hat x## and ##\hat y## are unit vectors in the x and y directions. That is, ##\vec E## and ##\vec B## are in the x and y directions respectively, and the wave propagates in the z direction. Substitute these into the third Maxwell equation in free space: $$\vec \nabla \times \vec E = - \frac {\partial \vec B}{\partial t}$$ and you will get the desired result.

[added: I originally had ##E_m## instead of ##B_m## in my equation for ##\vec B## above. I've fixed this.]
 
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