Among all wave modes electromagnetic have the biggest applicability and prevalence in the nature. It is simple to distinguish electromagnetic waves from waves of other type because electromagnetic waves have characteristic differences.
It is required to you
- The textbook in physics, the sheet of paper, a simple pencil.
Instruction
1. Open the textbook in physics on chapter about electromagnetic waves. The first difference of electromagnetic waves from others which you will notice at once is that they extend in a vacuum. That is electromagnetic waves do not need the material environment to extend.
2. Remember how there is in general a distribution of a wave to understand that it allows electromagnetic waves to move in space without substance. Distribution of any kind of waves means movement in space of any indignation transferring some parameter of substance. For example, if it is about sound waves, then the extending indignation is substance density. And gives to any elastic indignations the chance to extend in a wave mode the fact that there is some space around indignation filled with substance in which there can be same indignations. It also distinguishes electromagnetic waves.
3. Pay attention that electromagnetic waves extend due to continuous regeneration of electric indignations in magnetic. This fact allows electromagnetic waves to extend from a point to a point in a vacuum. In other words, the ability of electromagnetic indignation to move is in interrelation of electric and magnetic fields. This circumstance is described in the well-known equations of Maxwell. You can represent graphically electromagnetic waves mutually perpendicular vectors moving everyone along own plane in the direction perpendicular to both vectors.
4. Notice that the indignation transferred by an electromagnetic wave is tension electric and magnetic water. And the full electromagnetic wave transfers these two parameters at the same time because change of one of them generates another, forcing a wave to extend.
5. Do not forget at the same time that the specificity of an electromagnetic wave does not do it exclusive in some other waves. To an electromagnetic wave as well as other waves, the frequency, distribution speed, the period of fluctuations, intensity is peculiar. And, speaking about intensity, the average square value of electric field strength and induction of magnetic field means.
6. Consider that, despite the lack of a material component in an electromagnetic wave, it is capable to comprise as much as big energy. And, unlike other wave modes, energy of an electromagnetic wave of subjects is more, than more frequency of a wave. It is connected with the quantum effects inherent in an electromagnetic wave.