Page:A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism - Volume 2.djvu/422

Rh and since there is no motion of the medium, equations (B), Art. 598, become

Comparing these values with those given in equation (14), we find{{numb form|$$ \left. \begin{align} \frac{d^2 F}{dz^2} & = K \mu \frac{d^2 F}{dt^2}\mbox{,} \\ \frac{d^2 G}{dz^2} & = K \mu \frac{d^2G}{dt^2} \mbox{,} \\ 0 & = K\mu \frac{d^2H}{dt^2} \end{align} \right \} $$|(19)}}

The first and second of these equations are the equations of propagation of a plane wave, and their solution is of the well-known form{{numb form|$$ \left. \begin{align} F & = f_1 (z-Vt) + f_2 (z + Vt)\mbox{,} \\ G & = f_3 (z-Vt) + f_4 (z+ Vt)\mbox{,} \end{align} \right \} $$|(20)}}

The solution of the third equation is where $$A$$ and $$B$$ are functions of $$z$$. $$H$$ is therefore either constant or varies directly with the time. In neither case can it take part in the propagation of waves.

791.] It appears from this that the directions, both of the magnetic and the electric disturbances, lie in the plane of the wave. The mathematical form of the disturbance therefore, agrees with that of the disturbance which constitutes light, in being transverse to the direction of propagation.

If we suppose $$G = 0$$, the disturbance will correspond to a plane-polarized ray of light.

The magnetic force is in this case parallel to the axis of $$y$$ and equal to $$\frac{1}{\mu}\frac{dF}{dz}$$, and the electromotive force is parallel to the axis of $$x$$ and equal to $$-\frac{dF}{dt}$$. The magnetic force is therefore in a plane perpendicular to that which contains the electric force.

The values of the magnetic force and of the electromotive force at a given instant at different points of the ray are represented in Fig. 66,