College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 22 - Conceptual Questions - Page 861: 5

Answer

According to Maxwell, a changing electric field would produce a magnetic field perpendicular to the electric field. Therefore, it is impossible to have an electric wave without any magnetic component.

Work Step by Step

Maxwell showed that a changing electric field produces a magnetic field. If there is an electric wave, then the magnitude of the electric field would be changing continuously as the wave propagates. According to Maxwell, this changing electric field would produce a magnetic field perpendicular to the electric field. Therefore, it is impossible to have an electric wave without any magnetic component.
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