•Changing electric fields generates magnetic
fields
•Changing magnetic fields generates electric
fields
•Can set up a cycle where one field causes the
other:
–The E and B fields oscillate in strength, and
the disturbance moves forward.
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•To describe the wave you need to
specify
–Direction it is moving
–Strength of the fields (its intensity)
–Frequency or Wavelength of
the oscillation (u and l are inversely related)
–Orientation of the electric E field: up or sideways (polarization)
•You do not need to specify its speed
–In a vacuum all lightwaves move at the same speed c =
3´108 m/s