CHAPTER

8 Electromagnetic Waves

Displacement Current Velocity of em waves in a medium is given by

Displacement current is that current which appears in a region c
v=
in which the electric field (and hence electric flux) is changing µr k

with time.
Note: We have [µr = relative permeability of medium]
[k = dielectric constant of medium]
dφ d d  qA  dq
ID =ε0 E = ε0 ( EA) = ε0  = I
= (iii) EM waves are transverse in nature i.e. E and B are
dt dt dt  ε 0 A  dt
perpendicular to each other as well as perpendicular to the
[Charging of plate of a capacitor] direction of propagation of the wave. E and B are related as
follow:
Modified Ampere’s Circuital Law
E0 E
   dφ  = c=
or c
∫
 B ⋅ dl = µ 0  I + ε0 E 
 dt 
B
0 B
(iv) EM waves carry energy, which is shared equally by electric
Electromagnetic Waves and magnetic fields.
  d φB   d φE
∫ E ⋅ dl = (Maxwell’s equations) The average energy density of an EM wave is given by
−
dt
and ∫ B ⋅ dl =
µε
0 0
dt
u = uE + uB = 2uE = 2uB
These equations lead to the conclusion that, if either of
the electric or magnetic field changes with time, the other 1 1  E 
field is induced in space. The net result of these interacting
where uE = ε0 E 2 = ε0 ( Bc) 2  B = c 
2 2
changing fields is the generation of electromagnetic
1  1  B2
2
 1 
disturbance, called electromagnetic waves which travel = ε0 B 2  =  c = 
2   2µ 0 µ0 ε0 
with the speed of light.  µ0 ε0      
Mathematical Expression of EM Waves (v) EM waves carry momentum and exert a radiation pressure
x t  x t  F 1 dp U
E= E0 sin 2π  −  , B= B0 sin 2π  −  P =
= and momentum p =

y
λ T 
Z
λ T  A A dt c
(vi) EM waves transport energy. The rate of energy of EM wave
Important Characteristics of EM Waves transport per unit area is represented by a quantity called
(i) EM waves are produced by accelerated charged particles.   1  
(ii) EM waves do not require any medium for their propagation. Poynting vector ( S ) and is given by= S ( E × B)
µ
These waves can propagate in vacuum as well as in a
medium. (vii) Electric vector of an em wave is responsible for optical
effects, as E0 >> B0.
Velocity of em waves in free space is given by
(viii) Intensity of an EM wave is given by
1
v= c= = 3 × 108 m/s 1 B2c
µ0 ε0 I = cε 0 E 2 =
2 2µ 0