Transforming E and B in Electromagnetic Waves Through Moving Media

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the transformation of electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields in electromagnetic waves as they propagate through a moving medium. According to J.P. McTevish's work, an observer moving with speed u relative to the medium detects a magnetic field while the electric field is absent. Participants in the discussion clarify that the transformation of E and B fields involves Lorentz transformations, which can be straightforward yet algebraically complex. The consensus emphasizes that static E and B fields transform differently compared to those in electromagnetic waves.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations in media
  • Familiarity with Lorentz transformations
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Basic concepts of special relativity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study J.P. McTevish's "Maxwell's equations in media and special relativity"
  • Learn about Lorentz transformations in detail
  • Explore the differences in E and B field transformations in static versus dynamic scenarios
  • Investigate the implications of electromagnetic wave behavior in moving media
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism and special relativity will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the behavior of electromagnetic fields in different reference frames.

bernhard.rothenstein
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Please consider the following problem:
A plane electromagnetic wave propagates throug a stationary medium with phase velocity u<c. Consider an observer that moves with speed u relative to the medium. In
J.P. McTevish, "Maxwell's equations in media and special relativity," Eur.J.Phys. 21 229-231 2000
the Author mentions that the observer will detect the presence of a magnetic field and the absence of the electric field.
My intuition (which is not the best adviser) suggests that he will detect the presence of the static electric field and the absence of the magnetic field.
What is your oppinion and why?
Thanks
 
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It is not as easy as that article (which I have not see or refereed) says.
You know E and B in the rest system of the dielectric as functions
of r and t. You can LT E and B, and r and t to find E and B in the moving system. It is straightforward, but could be complicated algebraicly
 
E and B transformation

Meir Achuz said:
It is not as easy as that article (which I have not see or refereed) says.
You know E and B in the rest system of the dielectric as functions
of r and t. You can LT E and B, and r and t to find E and B in the moving system. It is straightforward, but could be complicated algebraicly
Thanks for your hint. I have realized thatg static E and B and E and B in the electromagnetic wave transform in different ways.
 

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