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It’s a fairly simple question. Basically, my physics teacher said that EM waves work like in the image I posted here. An electric field creates a magnetic field in the same place, then this magnetic field creates an electric field in the place forward. However, intuitively, I think this is wrong, but I’m not 100% sure.

I know that electric fields can create magnetic fields and vice versa, but I always thought they would happen at the same place, same time. Intuitively, I think EM waves are like this animation here: https://youtu.be/oZZ4wKYtVl8

Basically, continuous disturbances that just happen to occur both in magnetic and electric fields at the same time.

Which interpretation is correct?

Qmechanic
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1 Answers1

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You cannot find an electrical wave without a magnetic wave. There is a reason why they are called the electromagnetic waves because they are just one wave and their effect is observed in different dimensions (one operates in X then the other operates in Y).

I think your teacher was trying to explain you the concept of magnetic flux. In order to see current, you need to have a change in magnetic field. You can read up on Maxwell equations and Faraday law.

Your diagram is correct and the video which is just the dynamic version of the image is also correct. The correct word to use would be change rather than disturbance and it happens at the same time because if one field exists then the other field also exists and they both cause each other to exists and you can imagine that there is no time gap if that is what's bothering you.

LostCause
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