Practice question · Estimate
An electromagnetic wave in vacuum has an electric field amplitude of V/m. Set the magnetic field amplitude, in units of T, using m/s.
Estimate on a scale from Zero (0) to 10 microtesla (10).
Hints
- In a plane wave the two amplitudes are related by the speed of light.
- Divide 6.0e2 by 3.0e8.
Show the answer
2 (answers within ±0.3 count)
Why
T. The magnetic amplitude is smaller by the enormous factor , which is why the electric force dominates the interaction of light with matter.
Practise Maxwell’s Equations and Electromagnetic Waves
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