Understanding EM Wave Attenuation in Conductors and Dielectrics

AI Thread Summary
EM waves attenuate in conductors due to energy loss, while dielectrics exhibit minimal attenuation. The impedance of a dielectric does not primarily indicate energy loss, as absorption is significantly lower than in metals. In many scenarios, the imaginary part of the permittivity (Im{ε}) of a dielectric can be considered negligible. Understanding these differences is crucial for applications involving electromagnetic wave propagation. Overall, the behavior of EM waves in conductors and dielectrics highlights their distinct electrical properties.
silence98
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hi, I have been reading my textbook and online but I'm not sure if I understand. An EM wave attenuates in a conductor but not in a dielectric? If that is correct what does the impedance of a dielectric represent, since I thought impedance would be associated with an energy loss...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The absorpion in a dielectric is less than that in a metal. In many cases you can safely neglect the Im{ε} of a dielectric.
 
Thread 'Inducing EMF Through a Coil: Understanding Flux'

Thread 'Inducing EMF Through a Coil: Understanding Flux'

Thank you for reading my post. I can understand why a change in magnetic flux through a conducting surface would induce an emf, but how does this work when inducing an emf through a coil? How does the flux through the empty space between the wires have an effect on the electrons in the wire itself? In the image below is a coil with a magnetic field going through the space between the wires but not necessarily through the wires themselves. Thank you.
View full post »
Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

I am reading the Griffith, Electrodynamics book, 4th edition, Example 4.8. I want to understand some issues more correctly. It's a little bit difficult to understand now. > Example 4.8. Suppose the entire region below the plane ##z=0## in Fig. 4.28 is filled with uniform linear dielectric material of susceptibility ##\chi_e##. Calculate the force on a point charge ##q## situated a distance ##d## above the origin. In the page 196, in the first paragraph, the author argues as follows ...
View full post »

Similar threads

A Voltage and current waves in a transmission line
Replies
4
Views
3K
I Understanding the Expression for a Linear EM Wave Transmission?
Replies
2
Views
1K
From Maxwell's equations to EM waves
Replies
9
Views
9K
EM wave reflected or transmitted?
Replies
8
Views
3K
EM waves, longitudinal EM propagation?
Replies
15
Views
3K
Calculating the energy in an EM wave
Replies
39
Views
5K
I How does EM wave geometrical attenuation affect atomic absorption?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Question about light as an EM wave
Replies
9
Views
2K
EM Wave - basic question on energy conservation in a wave
Replies
4
Views
2K
Change in direction of electric field on conductor surface
Replies
18
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top