Oscillating charged particles and E.M waves

In summary, the conversation discusses the effects of oscillating charged particles and their potential to generate electromagnetic waves. It is mentioned that if a friend is tied adjacent to the oscillating particle and also oscillates in parallel, he may be able to detect the waves if the phase of his oscillation is right. However, even if his radio is disabled, he may still be able to detect the waves through other radios and using accelerometers. It is also noted that the friend can detect whether he is moving inertially or not, and therefore may expect to detect the waves.
  • #1
Slimy0233
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TL;DR Summary
Effect of parallel motion and observation in parallel motion concerning oscillating charged particles
If I were to tie a friend of mine adjacent to the oscillating charge and make him oscillate in parallel to my oscillating charged particle such that to him the oscillating particle is at rest, would he observe the generation of electromagnetic waves.
 
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  • #2
Sure. You might make it difficult for him to detect if you get the phase of his oscillation right, but nobody else's radios are going to stop working just because you're shaking him around.
 
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  • #3
Ibix said:
but nobody else's radios are going to stop working just because you're shaking him around.
I am sorry, I don't understand this, the radios thing.

Also, I get a feeling that you are saying he would be able to detect those oscillations? I mean, it's literally at rest from his perspective. So, I was just wondering how?
 
  • #4
Slimy0233 said:
I mean, it's literally at rest from his perspective.
In a frame that is accelerating...
 
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  • #5
DrClaude said:
In a frame that is accelerating...
sorry Dr, but what's your point? please explain
 
  • #6
Slimy0233 said:
I am sorry, I don't understand this, the radios thing.
Well, if there's a source of radio waves then radio detectors will be able to detect them. Even if your friend's radio is disabled by circumstance, he can still hear other radios detecting the waves, so he knows they're there. And he can tell he's oscillating using accelerometers, so even assuming that the oscillation disables the radio he can correct for it and make his radio inertial.
Slimy0233 said:
Also, I get a feeling that you are saying he would be able to detect those oscillations? I mean, it's literally at rest from his perspective. So, I was just wondering how?
You detect radio waves using the motion of electrons in a wire under the changing electromagnetic field of the wave. If you oscillate the wire I think you will cause the electrons to oscillate along with it, and they will be further accelerated by the electromagnetic field of the wave. So I think you'll still get a response from the receiver.

Remember that your friend can detect whether he is moving inertially or not in an absolute sense. So he can tell whether the charged particle holding position infront of his nose is moving inertially or not. It is, therefore, not at all obvious that he shouldn't expect EM radiation.
 
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  • #7
The motion of the two is presumed to be far below the speed of light so relativity does not come into it.
In this case the radiation from one, when it reaches the other, will be detectable.
 
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  • #8
Slimy0233 said:
sorry Dr, but what's your point? please explain
You seem to be thinking that in the frame where he particle is at rest, since it is at rest and not accelerating, it cannot emit radiation. But that is only true for particles at rest in inertial frames.
 
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  • #9
DrClaude said:
You seem to be thinking that in the frame where he particle is at rest, since it is at rest and not accelerating, it cannot emit radiation. But that is only true for particles at rest in inertial frames.
thank you very much for explaining that.
 
  • #10
Ibix said:
Well, if there's a source of radio waves then radio detectors will be able to detect them. Even if your friend's radio is disabled by circumstance, he can still hear other radios detecting the waves, so he knows they're there. And he can tell he's oscillating using accelerometers, so even assuming that the oscillation disables the radio he can correct for it and make his radio inertial.

You detect radio waves using the motion of electrons in a wire under the changing electromagnetic field of the wave. If you oscillate the wire I think you will cause the electrons to oscillate along with it, and they will be further accelerated by the electromagnetic field of the wave. So I think you'll still get a response from the receiver.

Remember that your friend can detect whether he is moving inertially or not in an absolute sense. So he can tell whether the charged particle holding position infront of his nose is moving inertially or not. It is, therefore, not at all obvious that he shouldn't expect EM radiation.
hey... thank you again! that's very helpful!
 

FAQ: Oscillating charged particles and E.M waves

What is the relationship between oscillating charged particles and electromagnetic waves?

Oscillating charged particles create changing electric and magnetic fields, which propagate outward as electromagnetic waves. The oscillation of the charge generates a time-varying electric field, which in turn induces a time-varying magnetic field, and this interplay between the electric and magnetic fields results in the propagation of an electromagnetic wave through space.

How do the frequency and amplitude of an oscillating charge affect the properties of the emitted electromagnetic wave?

The frequency of the oscillating charge directly determines the frequency of the emitted electromagnetic wave. Higher oscillation frequencies result in higher frequency electromagnetic waves, such as visible light or X-rays, while lower frequencies result in radio waves or microwaves. The amplitude of the oscillation affects the intensity or power of the emitted wave; larger amplitudes produce waves with greater energy.

What is the significance of Maxwell's equations in describing electromagnetic waves generated by oscillating charges?

Maxwell's equations are fundamental in describing how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by charges and currents. They show that a time-varying electric field creates a magnetic field and vice versa. Specifically, Maxwell's equations predict that oscillating charges produce electromagnetic waves, and they describe the wave's propagation through space at the speed of light.

Can electromagnetic waves be generated without oscillating charges?

No, electromagnetic waves cannot be generated without the presence of oscillating charges. The oscillation or acceleration of electric charges is the primary mechanism for creating electromagnetic waves. Even in antennas, which are designed to emit radio waves, the current that oscillates back and forth in the antenna elements is due to the movement of charged particles.

How do oscillating charges in antennas produce radio waves?

In antennas, an alternating current causes the charges to oscillate back and forth along the antenna elements. This oscillation creates a time-varying electric field around the antenna, which induces a time-varying magnetic field. The interaction of these fields propagates away from the antenna as radio waves. The frequency of the alternating current determines the frequency of the emitted radio waves.

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