Re: wave momentum

[James McLean <jmclean@CHEM.UCSD.EDU>]

Ludwik Kowalski wrote:
> James McLean responding to:
> > > ... The crucial difference is that dB/dt vector (which is proportional
> > > to E) is perpendicular to B while for the rope wave the dx/dt vector
> > > (v of particles) is in the same plane as their displacements, x. ...
>
> wrote:
> > True for circularly polarized E&M waves, but not linearly polarized.
>
> The vectors of E and B are mutually perpendicular, even when the E&M
> wave is linearly polarized.
Sorry, I should have been more specific.  E and B are always
perpendicular, but for linearly polarized E&M waves dB/dt is parallel to
B.  In general, dB/dt = -c curl(E), which may or may not be proportional
to E.

--
--James McLean
jmclean@chem.ucsd.edu
post doc
UC San Diego, Chemistry