Electromagnetic

Waves
Hernanie T. Salazar Jr.
Mathematics and Physics
Department
Adamson University
Mar. 17, 2021
Objectives
• Understand the concepts and principles of
electromagnetic waves.
• Solve problems in electromagnetic waves using basic and
advanced mathematical skills.
Recall: Maxwell’s Equations
𝑞
! 𝐸 # 𝑑𝐴⃗ =
𝜖!

! 𝐵 # 𝑑𝐴⃗ = 0

𝑑Φ"
! 𝐸 # 𝑑𝑠⃗ = −
𝑑𝑡
𝑑Φ"
! 𝐵 # 𝑑𝑠⃗ = 𝜇!𝐼 + 𝜖!𝜇!
𝑑𝑡
 Plane Electromagnetic Waves

• The electric and magnetic

field of the electromagnetic
field are consistent with
Maxwell’s equations.
• Consider an electromagnetic
wave that travels in the x
direction.
• Changing magnetic field
generates electric field.
• Changing electric field
generates magnetic field.
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
• Ray – line along which the
wave travels.
• The entire collection of waves is
called plane waves.

• Consider an electromagnetic
wave that travels in the x
direction.
• Use Faraday’s law to analyze
the field:
𝑑Φ!
! 𝐸 # 𝑑 𝑠⃗ = −
𝑑𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
• Approximation of 𝐸 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝐸
𝐸 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 ≈ 𝐸 𝑥 + & 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 ! "#$%&'$&
𝜕𝐸
=𝐸 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑥
• So the line integral becomes
𝜕𝐸
) 𝐸 * 𝑑 𝑠⃗ = 𝐸 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 ℓ − 𝐸 𝑥 ℓ
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝐸
=ℓ 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑥
• Flux through the rectangle is Φ( =
𝐵ℓ𝑑𝑥
𝑑Φ( 𝑑𝐵 𝜕𝐵
= ℓ𝑑𝑥 & = ℓ𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 ) "#$%&'$& 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
• Combine the 2 terms

𝜕𝐸 𝜕𝐵
ℓ 𝑑𝑥 = −ℓ𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡

𝜕𝐸 𝜕𝐵
=−
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
• Use
𝑑Φ!
! 𝐵 # 𝑑 𝑠⃗ = 𝜇" 𝐼 + 𝜖" 𝜇"
𝑑𝑡

• So the line integral becomes

𝜕𝐸
) 𝐵 * 𝑑 𝑠⃗ = 𝐵 𝑥 ℓ − 𝐵 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 ℓ
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝐵
= −ℓ 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑥
• Flux through the rectangle is Φ( =
𝐸ℓ𝑑𝑥
𝑑Φ* 𝜕𝐸
= ℓ𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
• Combine the 2 terms

𝜕𝐵 𝜕𝐸
−ℓ 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜇!𝜖!ℓ𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡

𝜕𝐵 𝜕𝐸
= −𝜇!𝜖!
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
#$ #"
• Take the x derivative of =−
#% #&

𝜕 '𝐸 𝜕 𝜕𝐵 𝜕 𝜕𝐵 𝜕 𝜕𝐸
' =− =− =− −𝜇!𝜖!
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

𝜕 '𝐸 𝜕 '𝐸
' = 𝜇!𝜖! '
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
#" #"
• Take the x derivative of = −𝜇!𝜖!
#% #&

𝜕 '𝐵 𝜕 '𝐵
' = 𝜇!𝜖! '
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
Linear wave equation
𝜕 '𝐸 𝜕 '𝐸
' = 𝜇!𝜖! '
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡

𝜕 '𝐵 𝜕 '𝐵
' = 𝜇!𝜖! '
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
Speed of electromagnetic waves
1
𝑐=
𝜇!𝜖!
Numerically
1
𝑐=
4𝜋×10() T # m/A 8.85419×10(*' C '/N # m'
= 2.9979×10+ m/s
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
#+ $ #+ $ #+ " #+ "
Solutions to #% +
= 𝜇!𝜖! #& + and #% +
= 𝜇!𝜖! #& + are

𝐸 = 𝐸,-. cos 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡
𝐵 = 𝐵,-. cos 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡
Similarly, ratio of ω/k gives the speed of electromagnetic
wave
𝜔 2𝜋𝑓
= =𝑐
𝑘 2𝜋/𝜆
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
Linearly polarized wave –
the electric and magnetic
fields restricted to being
parallel to a pair of
perpendicular axes.
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
• Take the partial derivatives of 𝐸 = 𝐸,-. cos 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 (with
respect to x) and 𝐵 = 𝐵,-. cos 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 (with respect to t)
gives
𝜕𝐸
= −𝑘𝐸,-. sin 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡
𝜕𝑥

𝜕𝐵
= 𝜔𝐵,-. sin 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡
𝜕𝑡
Plane Electromagnetic Waves
#$ #"
• Substitute the previous 2 equations to =−
#% #&

𝑘𝐸,-. = 𝜔𝐵,-.

𝐸,-. 𝜔
=
𝐵,-. 𝑘
Then,
𝐸,-. 𝐸
= =𝑐
𝐵,-. 𝐵
Problem: Plane Electromagnetic Waves
Example: An Electromagnetic Wave

A sinusoidal electromagnetic wave

of frequency 40.0 MHz travels in free
space in the x direction as in Figure.
(A) Determine the wavelength and
period of the wave.
(B) At some point and at some
instant, the electric field has its
maximum value of 750 N/C and
is directed along the y axis.
Calculate the magnitude and
direction of the magnetic field
at this position and time.
Problem: Plane Electromagnetic Waves
Solution
Given: 𝑐 = 3.00×10+ m/s, 𝑓 = 40.0×10/ Hz
(A) Determine the wavelength and period
of the wave.

𝑐 3.00×10+ m/s
𝜆= = / =? ? ?
𝑓 40.0×10 Hz

1 1
𝑇= = / =? ? ?
𝑓 40.0×10 Hz
Problem: Plane Electromagnetic Waves
Solution
+ ,
Given: 𝑐 = 3.00×10 , 𝐸,-. = 750 N/C
0
(A) At some point and at some instant, the
electric field has its maximum value of
750 N/C and is directed along the y axis.
Calculate the magnitude and direction
of the magnetic field at this position and
time.

𝐸,-. 750 N/C

𝐵,-. = = + =? ? ?
𝑐 3.00×10 m/s
Energy Carried by Electromagnetic
Waves
• The rate of transfer of energy by an electromagnetic wave
is described by a vector 𝑆⃗ (Poynting vector).
1
⃗
𝑆 ≡ 𝐸×𝐵
𝜇!
• Units for 𝑆⃗ using dimensional analysis is
𝐸 𝐵 N/C T N#m J W
⃗
𝑆 = = = ' = ' = '
𝜇! T # m/A m #s m #s m
• Represents the intensity (rate at which energy passes
through a unit surface area perpendicular to the direction
of wave propagation).
Energy Carried by Electromagnetic
Waves
• Since 𝐸×𝐵 = 𝐸𝐵,
𝐸𝐵
𝑆=
𝜇!
• Since 𝐵 = 𝐸/𝑐,
𝐸' 𝑐𝐸 '
𝑆= =
𝜇!𝑐 𝜇!
• The average value of S (intensity of the wave) is.
𝐸,-. 𝐵,-. 𝐸,-.' '
𝑐𝐵,-.
𝐼 = 𝑆-12 = = =
2𝜇! 2𝜇!𝑐 2𝜇!
Energy Carried by Electromagnetic
Waves
• The energy per unit volume associated with an electric is
the instantaneous energy density 𝑢$ is,
1
𝑢$ = 𝜖!𝐸 '
2
• Instantaneous energy density 𝑢" associated with a
magnetic field is
𝐵'
𝑢" =
2𝜇!
*
• Using 𝐵 = 𝐸/𝑐 and 𝑐 =
3, 4,
𝐸/𝑐 ' 𝜇!𝜖! ' 1
𝑢" = = 𝐸 = 𝜖!𝐸 ' = 𝑢$
2𝜇! 2𝜇! 2
Energy Carried by Electromagnetic
Waves
• total instantaneous energy density u is equal to the sum of
the energy densities associated with the electric and
magnetic fields:
𝐵 '
𝑢 = 𝑢$ + 𝑢" = 2𝑢$ = 2𝑢" = 𝜖!𝐸 ' =
𝜇!
• total average energy per unit volume is
1 𝐵 '
,-.
𝑢-12 = 𝜖! 𝐸 ' -12 = 𝜖!𝐸,-.
' =
2 2𝜇!
• Comparing with the previous value for S
𝐼 = 𝑆-12 = 𝑐𝑢-12
Energy Carried by Electromagnetic
Waves
Solar irradiance
• Sun delivers around 103 W/m2
of energy to the Earth’s
surface.
• Calculate the total power
that is incident on the roof of
the home
• Dimension: 8.00 m by 20.0
m
𝑃!"# = 𝑆!"# 𝐴
= 1000 W/m$ 8.00 m ×2.00 m
= 1.60×10% W
Problem: Energy Carried by
Electromagnetic Waves
Example: Fields on the Page
Estimate the maximum magnitudes of the electric and
magnetic fields of the light that is incident on this page
because of the visible light coming from your incandescent
desk lamp. Treat the lightbulb as a point source of
electromagnetic radiation that is 5% efficient at transforming
energy coming in by electrical transmission to energy
leaving by visible light.
Problem: Energy Carried by
Electromagnetic Waves
Solution:
Recall that 𝐼 = 𝑃-12/4𝜋𝑟 '
𝑃-12 '
𝐸,-.
𝐼= ' =
4𝜋𝑟 2𝜇!𝑐
𝜇!𝑐𝑃-12
𝐸,-. =
2𝜋𝑟 '

Assumptions: 60-W lightbulb operating at 5% efficiency is

approximately 3.0 W.
Distance from the lightbulb to the page is 0.30 m
Problem: Energy Carried by
Electromagnetic Waves
Solution:
4𝜋×10() T # m/A 3.00×10+ m/s 3.0 W
𝐸,-. = ' =? ? ?
2𝜋 0.30 m

For the magnetic field:

𝐸56% __________
𝐵,-. = = + =? ? ?
𝑐 3.00×10 m/s
Electromagnetic Spectrum
• The energy carried by
electromagnetic waves is
proportional to the
frequency.
• increasing frequency
also means increasing
energy.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radio waves
• Wavelength: 104 m – 0.1 m
• Generation: Oscillation
electric charge
• Applications:
telecommunications
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Microwaves
• Wavelength: 0.3 m to 10-4
m
• Generation: using
magnetron device
• Applications: heating
device
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Infrared waves
• Wavelength: 10(7 m to
7×10() m.
• Source: emitted (or
absorbed) by molecules
when they change
their rotational-vibration
movements.
• Application: IR
spectroscopy
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Visible light
• Wavelength: 7×10() m to
4×10() m.
• Application: UV-vis
spectroscopy
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Ultraviolet waves
• Wavelength: 4×10() m to
6×10(*! m.
• Application: UV-vis
spectroscopy
Electromagnetic Spectrum
X-rays
• Wavelength: 10(+ m to
10(*' m.
• Generation: stopping of
high-energy electrons
upon bombarding a metal
target.
• Application: x-ray
diffraction
Electromagnetic Spectrum
X-rays
• Wavelength: 10(+ m to
10(*' m.
• Generation: stopping of
high-energy electrons
upon bombarding a metal
target.
• Application: x-ray
diffraction
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Gamma rays
• Wavelength: 10(*! m to
10(*8 m.
• Source: nuclear reactions
(radioactivity) or cosmic
rays.
• Application: Linear
accelerator.
Supplementary Problems: Plane
Electromagnetic Waves
Example: Electric and
magnetic fields of laser beam
A carbon dioxide laser emits a
sinusoidal electromagnetic
wave that travels in vacuum in
the negative x-direction. The
wavelength is 10.6 𝜇m (infrared)
and the 𝑬 field is parallel to the
z-axis, with 𝐸&!' = 1.5 MV/m.
Write vector equations for 𝑬
and 𝑩 as functions of time and
position.
Supplementary Problems: Plane
Electromagnetic Waves
Solution: Electric and magnetic fields of laser beam
Supplementary Problems: Plane
Electromagnetic Waves
Example: Energy in nonsinusoidal wave
For the nonsinusoidal wave, suppose that E = 100 V/m = 100
N/C. Find the value of B, the energy density u, and the rate
of energy flow per unit area S.
Supplementary Problems: Plane
Electromagnetic Waves
Solution: Energy in nonsinusoidal wave
Supplementary Problems: Plane
Electromagnetic Waves
Example: Energy in a sinusoidal
wave
A radio station on the earth’s
surface emits a sinusoidal wave
with average total power 50 kW.
Assuming that the transmitter
radiates equally in all directions
above the ground (which is
unlikely in real situations), find the
electric-field and magnetic-field
amplitudes Emax and Bmax
detected by a satellite 100 km
from the antenna.
Supplementary Problems: Plane
Electromagnetic Waves
Solution: Energy in a sinusoidal wave
Thank you
for listening
Electromagnetic Waves