Q.No.129: - (a):-Is it possible to have a purely electric wave propagate through empty space that is, a wave made up of an electric field but no magnetic field? (b) What about a purely magnetic wave, with a magnetic field but no electric field?
Answer: - (a) no (b) no, A purely electric wave would have a varying electric field. Such a field necessarily generates a magnetic field through Ampere's law, So a purely electric wave is impossible. In the same way, a purely magnetic wave is impossible: The varying magnetic field in such a wave would automatically give rise to an electric field through Faraday's Law.
Reference: -
Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with modern Physisc by Hugh D. Young Roger A. Freedman 12th Edition Chapter no 32 question is on page no 1096 and answer is on 1116
Answer: - (a) no (b) no, A purely electric wave would have a varying electric field. Such a field necessarily generates a magnetic field through Ampere's law, So a purely electric wave is impossible. In the same way, a purely magnetic wave is impossible: The varying magnetic field in such a wave would automatically give rise to an electric field through Faraday's Law.
Reference: -
Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with modern Physisc by Hugh D. Young Roger A. Freedman 12th Edition Chapter no 32 question is on page no 1096 and answer is on 1116
