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Re: [Phys-l] Electromagnetic waves



Ludwik,
Use this question as a teaching moment: The student who asks this question is in illustrious company. Variations on this question, which seek a mechanical model for E/M waves, prompted the aether model in the minds of early Maxwellians.

Point out the simpler example of the damped oscillation equation, which applies to both the mass on a damped spring and to the RLC circuit. The oscillating mass/spring functions through the mechanism of a restoring force - this mechanical concept is foreign to the electrical RLC circuit.

Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
treborsci@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/

--------------------------------------------------
From: "ludwik kowalski" <kowalskil@mail.montclair.edu>
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 12:26 PM
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Subject: [Phys-l] Electromagnetic waves

I was asked a simple question. How can it be answered in a simple way?

"For a wave to form, a restoring force is required. For example, the
sound waves in air are produce by compressing the air and the
restoring force is related to the compressibility of the gas. What
is the restoring force for radio waves in a vacuum?"



Ludwik Kowalski
= = = = = = = = = = = = =

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