Problem 39.2: Determine the electric field
Please wait for the animation to completely load.
The animation shows the result of adding two perpendicular electric fields together. Each field is part of an electromagnetic wave traveling along the z axis. Each electric field is shown separately on the two graphs on the left. The graphs show the electric field at one point on the z axis for various times. On the right, the animation shows both electric fields and their sum at the same point on the z axis and at the same times as the graphs on the left. It is as if you are looking down the z axis at the electric field. Restart. You can change the electric fields and the phase difference between the two fields and see the resulting waves.
For each of the following, write an equation for the net electric field, which is polarized as shown.
a.
b.
c. Rotating Clockwise
d.Rotating Counterclockwise
e. Rotating Clockwise
Problem authored by Melissa Dancy and Wolfgang Christian.