/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 12 Electromagnetic waves don't read... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 29: Problem 12

Electromagnetic waves don't readily penetrate metals. Why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Electromagnetic waves do not readily penetrate metals due to the presence of free electrons in metals. These free electrons oscillate when subjected to the electric component of the incoming wave, producing corresponding secondary waves that cancel the incident wave and cause reflection. Any remaining wave is absorbed into the metal, converting the wave's energy into other forms, such as heat.

Step by step solution

01

Explanation of Metal Characteristics

Metals are made up of a lattice of ions surrounded by a 'sea' of free electrons which are not bound to any particular ion and can move freely within the metal. Additionally, metals are excellent conductors of electricity because of these free electrons.
02

Interaction between EM Waves and Metals

When an electromagnetic wave comes into contact with a metal, the electric component of the wave exerts a force on the free electrons, causing them to oscillate. This movement of electrons generates its own electromagentic waves which counteract the incident wave. As a result, the electromagnetic wave is reflected, rather than penetrating the metal.
03

Absorption of Electromagnetic Waves

Any residual wave that still attempts to penetrate the metal is absorbed. During the absorption, the EM wave鈥檚 energy is converted into other energy forms, such as heat, increasing the metal鈥檚 temperature. This is why metals get hot when microwaved.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

An electromagnetic wave is propagating in the \(z\) -direction. What's its polarization direction if its magnetic field is in the \(y\) -direction?

Why is Maxwell's modification of Ampere's law essential to the existence of electromagnetic waves?

Your university radio station has a 5.0 -k \(\mathrm{W}\) radio transmitter that broadcasts uniformly in all directions; listeners within \(15 \mathrm{km}\) have reliable reception. You want to increase the power to double that range. What should be the new power?

The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Liver more National Laboratory initiates nuclear fusion by converging 192 laser beams on a deuterium-tritium target. Each beam has a square cross section \(38 \mathrm{cm}\) on a side, and each beam delivers \(10.0 \mathrm{kJ}\) of energy in \(20.0 \mathrm{ns}\). Find (a) the peak electric field and (b) the peak magnetic field in each laser beam. (c) Find the combined power of all 192 laser beams while they're firing, and compare with humankind's energy consumption rate of about 16 TW.

Vertically polarized light passes through two polarizes, the first at \(60^{\circ}\) to the vertical and the second at \(90^{\circ}\) to the vertical. What fraction of the light gets through?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Particle Model of Matter

Read Explanation

Quantum Physics

Read Explanation

Turning Points in Physics

Read Explanation

Electrostatics

Read Explanation

Measurements

Read Explanation

Astrophysics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.