Maxwell Waves (2D) | mysimulator.uk

Polarisation

Wave type

Parameters

Frequency f 5.0 units

Amplitude A 1.00

Live Readout

Wavelength λ

—

Wave speed c

3.00×10⁸ m/s

Frequency f

—

E₀ / B₀

= c

How it works

Combining Faraday's law and the Ampère–Maxwell law gives a wave equation for the electric field E travelling along +z, with propagation speed fixed by two universal constants:

∂²E/∂z² = μ₀ε₀ ∂²E/∂t²
c = 1/√(ε₀μ₀) ≈ 3×10⁸ m/s
E₀ / B₀ = c  (always)

E (red) and B (blue) oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of travel. In linear polarisation E stays on one axis; in circular polarisation the E-vector rotates, tracing a helix as the wave advances. Spherical decay shrinks the amplitude envelope with distance from the source (∝ 1/(1+z/scale)), approximating a point emitter instead of an idealised plane wave.

E field (electric) B field (magnetic)