Electromagnetic field

In the physics of electromagnetism, an electromagnetic field is a field composed of two related vector fields: the electric field and the magnetic field. When referred to as the electromagnetic field, the field is imagined to encompass all of space; typically an electromagnetic field is considered to be limited to a local area around an object in space.

Light and electromagnetic waves

Electrically charged particles are constantly emitting (or absorbing) photonic fluid, which is more commonly known as light. So how is light related to electromagnetic waves? Electromagnetic (E-M) waves are the undulatory movements of light, which can always be observed to be emitted by electric charges undergoing acceleration.

Related Topics:
Light - Acceleration

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If a charged particle is at rest, then it does not emit electromagnetic waves. Instead, it is surrounded by an electrostatic field. If a charged particle is in inertial motion, then the electrostatic field is joined by a magnetostatic field. This pair of static fields produce a movement of electromagnetic energy (i.e. a field of non-zero Poynting vectors), which is similar to an electromagnetic wave, except that the fields are not oscillating.

Related Topics:
Electrostatic field - Inertial motion - Magnetostatic field - Poynting vector

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E-M waves are propagating, expanding, harmonic, oscillating accelerations of the photonic fluid. Since the photonic fluid itself moves at the speed of light (by definition), then E-M waves can move no faster than the speed of light. E-M waves move at a speed close to the speed of light, depending on the medium through which they move (e.g. faster in air than through water, and faster through water than through a glass lens).

Related Topics:
Harmonic - Oscillating - Medium - Lens

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