Re: [Phys-l] g & E fields

[carmelo@pacific.net.sg]

Quoting Brian Whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>:
> At 08:02 PM 12/3/2007, you wrote:
> > Here is another tricky question on the energy of the electromagnetic
> > wave: Is the intensity of the bright fringe (For example, Young's
> > Double Slit Experiment) always the same when the electromagnetic field
> > is varying? Neither is this question easy to be explained too.
> >
> > Alphonsus
>
> I'll bite: why is the intensity of a varying sinusoidal wave not
> instantaneously varying?

Don't bite! This is a very deep question!
From the theoretical perspective, the intensity of the em wave is not  
zero when the electric field is zero instantaneously. Why? The  
magnetic field is in its maximum.

Practically speaking, Young Double Slit experiment is also a quantum  
physics problem. For example, if you aim one photon at a time, you may  
not obsserve photons around the "bright finge" instantaneously.

Hence, it is not simply a question of varying sinusoidal  
electromagnetic wave, but quantum wave function or psi wave!


Alphonsus