What is the squiggly thing over B

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SUMMARY

The squiggly symbol over B in optics represents a tilde, indicating a complex number known as a phasor. A phasor is a vector quantity that consists of two components: a real part and an imaginary part, expressed as A + iB, where i is the imaginary unit (i = sqrt(-1)). This notation is commonly utilized in AC circuit theory, highlighting its relevance in both optics and electrical engineering.

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  • Understanding of complex numbers and their representation
  • Familiarity with phasors in physics and engineering
  • Basic knowledge of AC circuit theory
  • Foundational concepts in optics
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  • Study the mathematical properties of complex numbers
  • Explore the role of phasors in wave mechanics
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Students in optics courses, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the mathematical representation of wave phenomena and AC circuits.

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I am currently taking an optics course and I have been seeing this squiggly symbol of supposed vectors. Are these vectors? In the case of the attached image the squiggly symbol is over B.

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The squiggly symbol is the tilde. In this case it indicates a complex number called a phasor which is sort of a vector quantity i.e. a number with two components one real and one imaginary A +iB where i = sqrt(-1) This notation is also used in AC circuit theory.
 
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