Whichever of the three preceding equations is most convenient can be used, since they are really just different versions of the same principle: Energy in a wave is related to amplitude squared. Furthermore, since these equations are based on the assumption that the electromagnetic waves are sinusoidal, peak intensity is twice the average; that is,
.
Calculate microwave intensities and fields
On its highest power setting, a certain microwave oven projects 1.00 kW of microwaves onto a 30.0 by 40.0 cm area. (a) What is the intensity in
? (b) Calculate the peak electric field strength
in these waves. (c) What is the peak magnetic field strength
?
Strategy
In part (a), we can find intensity from its definition as power per unit area. Once the intensity is known, we can use the equations below to find the field strengths asked for in parts (b) and (c).
Solution for (a)
Entering the given power into the definition of intensity, and noting the area is 0.300 by 0.400 m, yields
Here
, so that
Note that the peak intensity is twice the average:
Solution for (b)
To find
, we can rearrange the first equation given above for
to give
Entering known values gives
Solution for (c)
Perhaps the easiest way to find magnetic field strength, now that the electric field strength is known, is to use the relationship given by
Entering known values gives
Discussion
As before, a relatively strong electric field is accompanied by a relatively weak magnetic field in an electromagnetic wave, since
, and
is a large number.
Assume the helium-neon lasers commonly used in student physics laboratories have power outputs of 0.250 mW. (a) If such a laser beam is projected onto a circular spot 1.00 mm in diameter, what is its intensity? (b) Find the peak magnetic field strength. (c) Find the peak electric field strength.
(a)
(b)
(c)