Sinosoidal curves representing waves

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the representation of electromagnetic waves using sinusoidal curves, specifically exploring what magnitudes change sinusoidally and the implications of these changes in the context of classical electromagnetic theory.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that electromagnetic waves are represented by sinusoidal curves and question what specific magnitudes change sinusoidally.
  • One participant suggests that the magnitudes of the electric field and magnetic field change sinusoidally in classical electromagnetic waves.
  • Another participant introduces the analogy of the y component of a rotating unit vector in a plane, emphasizing the constant angular speed.
  • A later reply questions how the electric and magnetic fields can become zero and then increase again, seeking clarification on the underlying mechanisms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of understanding regarding the sinusoidal representation of electromagnetic waves, with some agreeing on the magnitudes involved while others seek further clarification on the behavior of these fields.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the mechanisms that allow the electric and magnetic fields to oscillate between zero and their maximum values, indicating a need for further exploration of the underlying physics.

Parbat
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we represent electromagnetic waves by sinosoidal curves.
magnitude of what changes sinosoidally?
or what does that represent?
 
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Parbat said:
we represent electromagnetic waves by sinosoidal curves.
magnitude of what changes sinosoidally?
or what does that represent?

y component of rotating unit vector in a plane. Edit: Rotating with constant angular speed, of course
 
Parbat said:
magnitude of what changes sinosoidally?

The magnitude of the electric field, and the magnitude of the magnetic field. (I assume you refer to a classical electromagnetic wave.)

We sometimes make a mathematical analogy with the x- or y- component of a rotating vector as upisoft noted.
 
jtbell said:
The magnitude of the electric field, and the magnitude of the magnetic field. (I assume you refer to a classical electromagnetic wave.)

how can magnetic & electric field become zero & again increase?how does that happen?
 

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