Vacuum Impedance: Physical Origin Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kolahal Bhattacharya
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Impedance Vacuum
AI Thread Summary
Vacuum impedance is approximately 377 ohms, derived from the plane wave solutions of Maxwell's equations. This impedance represents the ratio of the electric field (E) to the magnetic field (H) in free space. It is calculated as the square root of the ratio of magnetic permittivity (μ) to electric permittivity (ε). The characteristic impedance of free space is specifically noted to be 376.6 ohms. Understanding this concept is crucial for applications in electromagnetism and wave propagation.
Kolahal Bhattacharya
Messages
133
Reaction score
1
The vacuum impedance,as our professor writes in blackboard, equals 377 ohm
What is the physical origin of this impedance?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This value arises from the plane wave solution of Maxwell's equations.
The ratio of E/H in a plane wave in free space is equal to the square
root of the ratio of the magnetic permittivity (mu) to the electric permittivity (epsilon).
This value has the dimensions of ohms and is called the characteristic
impedance of free space and has the value of 376.6 ohms.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Magnetic permeability and optical impedance
Replies
1
Views
1K
Impedance matching a purely resistive load
Replies
3
Views
4K
What is the Acoustic Impedance of Wool?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Input impedance of a "Ladder" transmission line
Replies
3
Views
2K
Impedance mismatch issue in receivers
Replies
11
Views
2K
Question about output voltages and impedances
Replies
5
Views
2K
Understanding Capacitance and Impedance in Series Circuits
Replies
2
Views
1K
Why is impedance given as a simple Ohms unit when it's frequency dependent?
Replies
10
Views
2K
RMS Current through RLC combination ciruit
Replies
13
Views
2K
Can the Impedance of Series RC and Parallel RL Circuits be Equal with Same R?
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top