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Michael K. Rulison
(http://sites.oglethorpe.
edu/mrulison/)
Professor of Physics
There are two mechanisms by which energy is transferred from one point to another. One is an energy
transfer due to the net motion of matter between the two points, as for example when a ball is thrown
from one person to another. The other mechanism is that of wave motion, which does not involve any
net motion of matter, but rather the propagation of a disturbance of some sort.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/waves1-
2geh8lo.jpg)
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/waves2-
1wvica4.jpg)
A periodic wave is characterized by its amplitude, and wavelength. In addition, a wave of a given type
travels through a given medium with a characteristic wave speed. The wave speed and wavelength are
related to each other by the wave equation.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/sinewave-
25m44zz.gif)
Wave Behavior
When two or more waves are present simultaneously in the same medium interference occurs. At the
two extremes, the interference may be constructive or destructive. More generally, the interference of
waves is intermediate neither completely constructive or destructive.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/int1-1f1skcj.gif)
The waves passing through different parts of an opening are found to interfere with each other in a
way that produces a phenomenon known as diffraction. The degree of diffraction depends on the
relative sizes of the wavelength of the wave and the size of the opening through which the waves move.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/diff1-
1wh32k3.gif)
229t2kx.jpg) (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Reflrefr-
1nqn3ad.jpg)
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves exhibit all of the behaviors described above (under proper circumstances), but
differ in one fundamental way EM waves require no material medium for their propagation. This is
possible because an EM wave is not a disturbance of a material from its equilibrium position, but
rather a disturbance in the values of the electric and magnetic fields in some region of space (whether
or not a material is present).
Many of the fundamental particles such as the electron and proton possess an electrical charge, while
others such as the neutron are uncharged. Under most circumstances macroscopic objects are
uncharged, or nearly so, due to the fact that they are composed of very nearly equal numbers of
positively charged and negatively charged particles. When a particle (or a larger object) does possess a
net charge it produces an electric field in the surrounding space.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulis (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulis (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulis
on/astronomy-web-lecture- on/astronomy-web-lecture-
on/astronomy-web-lecture-
notes/light-matter/efield/) notes/light-matter/likefi/)
notes/light-matter/oppfield/)
Fields of this sort are produced by electric charges at rest. If the charges are in motion, in addition to
the electric field there exists a magnetic field. Thus, electric currents are the sources of magnetic field.
As the net charge of most macroscopic objects is zero or nearly zero, so also the electric currents (in the
form of electrons orbiting nuclei in atoms) in most macroscopic objects cancel in such a way that the
magnetic fields of most materials are often zero or small.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Mag1-1qqxmbn.jpg)
Electromagnetism
Another result of elecromagnetic theory is that when a magnetic field in some region of space changes
there is an electric field produced (Faradays law). Conversely, a changing electric field in some region
of space produces a magnetic field (Amperes law).
Electromagnetic Waves
As a result of the interlinking of electric and magnetic fields which vary with time, accelerated electric
charges are found to produce electric and magnetic fields which propagate through space. As with any
wave there is a very specific propagation speed in this case the speed of light which is c = 2.99 X 108
m/s.
One familiar example in which accelerating charges produce EM waves is the antenna.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Ant1-
20ml2pe.jpg) (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Ant2-2h3ngys.jpg)
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Ant3-2bdn28m.jpg)
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Regions of the Spectrum
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/spec0-
1h73h5e.gif)
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/spec1-
21kzzd0.jpg)
Absorption of Radiation
Absorption of Radiation
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/absorp1-
2lxtadx.jpg)
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/planck1-
1qi728e.gif)
Radiation Laws
Wiens Law
max = 0.29/T
Stefans Law
P=e A T4
Doppler Shifting of Radiation
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/doppler1-
ru4gpx.gif)
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/doppler-1n1go3m.gif)
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