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Lecture

Electromagnetic Waves Interaction: Transmission, Reflection, and Matter

In course

PHYS-201(d): General physics: electromagnetism

The topics covered by the course are concepts of electromagnetism, properties of waves, and fluid mechanics. ...

Description

This lecture explores the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter, focusing on the visible regime of the spectrum. It covers the forces exerted by E- and B-fields on charges, emission of new waves, Maxwell's Equations in matter, and the interaction with insulators and perfect conductors. The lecture also delves into the reflection and transmission processes, absorption phenomena, darkest materials like Vantablack, and how transparent dielectrics acquire color. It emphasizes the importance of a unified description for electromagnetic wave/matter interaction, including the evaluation of Maxwell's Equations and polarization effects. The reemission of waves at the same frequency, the behavior of e-m waves falling onto conductors or insulators, and the effects of frequency conservation on waves in matter are also discussed.

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Instructor

Dirk Grundler

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Related concepts (32)

Maxwell's equations

Maxwell's equations, or Maxwell–Heaviside equations, are a set of coupled partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electromagnetism, classical optics, and electric circuits. The equations provide a mathematical model for electric, optical, and radio technologies, such as power generation, electric motors, wireless communication, lenses, radar, etc. They describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated by charges, currents, and changes of the fields.

Elastic scattering

Elastic scattering is a form of particle scattering in scattering theory, nuclear physics and particle physics. In this process, the kinetic energy of a particle is conserved in the center-of-mass frame, but its direction of propagation is modified (by interaction with other particles and/or potentials) meaning the two particles in the collision do not lose energy. Furthermore, while the particle's kinetic energy in the center-of-mass frame is constant, its energy in the lab frame is not.

Reflection (physics)

Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves. The law of reflection says that for specular reflection (for example at a mirror) the angle at which the wave is incident on the surface equals the angle at which it is reflected. In acoustics, reflection causes echoes and is used in sonar. In geology, it is important in the study of seismic waves.

Specular reflection

Specular reflection, or regular reflection, is the mirror-like reflection of waves, such as light, from a surface. The law of reflection states that a reflected ray of light emerges from the reflecting surface at the same angle to the surface normal as the incident ray, but on the opposing side of the surface normal in the plane formed by the incident and reflected rays. This behavior was first described by Hero of Alexandria (AD c. 10–70). Later, Alhazen gave a complete statement of the law of reflection.

Scattering

Scattering is a term used in physics to describe a wide range of physical processes where moving particles or radiation of some form, such as light or sound, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by localized non-uniformities (including particles and radiation) in the medium through which they pass. In conventional use, this also includes deviation of reflected radiation from the angle predicted by the law of reflection.

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