Wavefunctions of EM Waves definitions Flashcards

Transverse waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other.

Mathematical description of a wave, using sinusoidal functions to represent oscillations.

Component of an electromagnetic wave that oscillates perpendicular to the magnetic field.

Component of an electromagnetic wave that oscillates perpendicular to the electric field.

Maximum value of the wave's oscillation, represented as E max for electric and B max for magnetic fields.

Spatial frequency of a wave, calculated as 2*pi divided by the wavelength.

Rate of oscillation of a wave, calculated as the product of wave number and speed of light.

Waves where oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Condition where electric and magnetic fields reach their maximum, minimum, and zero values simultaneously.

Distance over which the wave's shape repeats, used to calculate wave number.

Constant speed at which electromagnetic waves propagate in a vacuum, approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s.

Device emitting electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than visible light, used in the example problem.

Mathematical functions like sine and cosine used to describe wave oscillations.

Position of a point in time on a waveform cycle, important for determining wave function form.

Unit of magnetic field strength, used to express B max in electromagnetic waves.