The relativistic transformation for an electromagnetic plane wave with general time dependence

Autor:	Glenn S. Smith
Rok vydání:	2012
Předmět:	Electromagnetic field Physics Classical mechanics Theory of relativity Inertial frame of reference Field (physics) Plane wave General Physics and Astronomy Optical field Special relativity Monochromatic electromagnetic plane wave
Zdroj:	European Journal of Physics. 33:307-314
ISSN:	1361-6404 0143-0807
DOI:	10.1088/0143-0807/33/2/307
Popis:	In special relativity, the transformation between inertial frames for an electromagnetic plane wave is usually derived for the time-harmonic case (the field is a sinusoid of infinite duration), even though all practical waves are of finite duration and may not even contain a dominant sinusoid. This paper presents an alternative derivation in which the time dependence of the field is general; for example, it could be a Gaussian pulse in time. The changes that occur on transformation in the quantities that describe the wave are obtained and discussed. These changes include the temporal behaviour, direction of propagation, electromagnetic field, energy, and linear momentum. The derivation uses only elementary principles from special relativity, so it is suitable for an introductory course on the subject or a course on electrodynamics.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::6468cc78d019786bbbc6527a1faee8d8 https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/33/2/307 Zobrazit plný text záznamu