Light Propagation: Electric & Magnetic Fields in Vacuum/Medium

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter amaresh92
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Light Propagation
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the propagation of light and its relationship with electric and magnetic fields in both vacuum and medium. Participants explore the underlying principles of electromagnetic waves and the role of charges in generating these fields.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how light, which does not contain charge, can cause fluctuations in electric and magnetic fields in vacuum or medium.
  • Others reference Maxwell's equations, suggesting that electric fields can arise from changing magnetic fields, and vice versa, indicating that electromagnetic waves consist of these interdependent fields.
  • A participant emphasizes that electric and magnetic fields can exist without charges, pointing out that light itself represents fluctuations in the electromagnetic field.
  • There are repeated assertions that a charge is necessary for electric or magnetic fields, prompting further clarification on the nature of electromagnetic wave propagation.
  • One participant suggests researching terms like "polarizability," "susceptibility," and "induced dipole moment" to gain further insight into the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of charges for the existence of electric and magnetic fields, with some arguing that charges are essential while others contend that fields can exist independently of charges. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on interpretations of Maxwell's equations and the definitions of electric and magnetic fields, which may not be universally agreed upon in this context.

amaresh92
Messages
163
Reaction score
0
light doesn't cotain any charge then how it fluctulate the electric and magnetic field in vacumn or medium.
 
Science news on Phys.org
According to Maxwell's equations, an electric field can be produced either by electric charge or by a changing magnetic field; and a magnetic field can be produced either by electric current (moving charges) or by a changing electric field. In an electromagnetic wave the continually changing electric and magnetic fields keep each other going.
 
But for the electric or magnetic field a charge is needed.
But in vacumn in the absence of charge how light propagate as there is no question of electric or magnetic field in absence of charge.
 
amaresh92 said:
But for the electric or magnetic field a charge is needed.

Please reread jtbell's message. You can create an electric field either with an electric charge or a changing magnetic field.
 
amaresh92 said:
light doesn't cotain any charge then how it fluctulate the electric and magnetic field in vacumn or medium.
Light doesn't "fluctuate the electric and magnetic field", light is the fluctuations in the electro-magnetic field.
 
amaresh92 said:
light doesn't cotain any charge then how it fluctulate the electric and magnetic field in vacumn or medium.

google "polarizibility", "susceptibility", "induced dipole moment", etc.
 
sorry andy i didn't get u.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad It's still not clear to me what's the limit of light propagation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Graduate Propagation of light in a vacuum
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
High School Refraction of Light: Myth or Reality?
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
5K
High School Does light propagate as a wave of little bullets?
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
High School Discover the Reason Why Light Moves Slower in Water | Fermilab Video Explanation
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Graduate Is the EM field the medium for light waves
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School I still don't understand the propagation of light
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Undergrad Trying to Understand the Polarization of light
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
14K
Graduate What do polarisation lens block?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Light Remain After Polarization Despite Changes in Its Electric Field?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K