Why are electric and magnetic fields orthogonal in EM waves?

[SJMCGOWAN777]

Classical electromagnetic propagation evokes an electric field at right angles to a magnetic field.

Does this complementary directionality have a simpler basis in QED?

Are there any examples of an orthogonal component in other fundamental interactions?

Thanks.

 

[vanhees71]

Have you read a textbook on classical electrodynamics and how physical electromagnetic waves really look like? I recommend to start with studying the Hertzian dipole radiation in any good textbook on electromagnetism (Griffiths, Jackson, Sommerfeld,...).

 

[PeroK]

Classical electromagnetic propagation evokes an electric field at right angles to a magnetic field.

Does this complementary directionality have a simpler basis in QED?

Are there any examples of an orthogonal component in other fundamental interactions?

Thanks.

Given that you are asking about the mathematical technicalities of EM or QED, this can't be a "B" level question.

 

[vanhees71]

At this level, I'd really not start thinking about QED to begin with!