8.03SC | Fall 2016 | Undergraduate

Physics III: Vibrations and Waves

Part II: Electromagnetic Waves

Lecture 12: Maxwell's Equation, Electromagnetic Waves

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Lecture Topics

  • Maxwell’s equation
  • Light
  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Speed of light
  • Standing electromagnetic waves

Lecture Video: Maxwell’s Equation, Electromagnetic Waves

Prof. Lee shows the Electromagnetic wave equation can be derived by using Maxwell’s Equation. The exciting realization is that the speed of the EM wave matches with the speed of light. He also shows the progressing EM waves can be reflected by a perfect conductor.

Lecture Notes

Typed Notes for Lecture 12 (PDF - 2.6MB)

Handwritten Notes for Lecture 12 (PDF - 3MB)

Textbook Reading

Chapter 8: Traveling Waves (PDF - 1.4MB) (section 8.3 to end) 

Chapter 9: The Boundary at Infinity (PDF - 1.3MB) (through section 9.2) 

Problem Solving Help Video*

Electromagnetic Waves in a Vacuum

Video: One Trillion Frames per Second by Prof. Ramesh Raskar at MIT Media Lab

Video: Microwave Oven Standing Wave Visualization by oisiaa on YouTube

Webpage: The Idea of the Divergence of a Vector Field by Math Insight

Webpage: The Idea of the Curl of a Vector Field by Math Insight

* Note: This Problem Solving Help video was originally produced as part of a physics course that is no longer available on OCW.

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