Pedagogical tool to teach electromagnetic plane wave propagation in various media environments

Abstract

In the usual process of teaching students about the electromagnetic field, students often have difficulty in understanding the propagation process of invisible electromagnetic waves under different medium environments. To facilitate students understanding and learning of related knowledge, in this article, we first derive the process of solving Maxwell’s equation using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) under different media environments for the designed experimental models to obtain the spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field. After that, we use the MATLAB language to program the FDTD solution method to verify our theoretical analysis based on the simulation results. Based on this, we develop a convenient and quick interactive mobile software tool, aiming to give students a vivid and intuitive demonstration and explanation for the propagation of electromagnetic waves in different media environments.

Why are the electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave propagating through a conductor not in phase?

“…Notice that Ω A(12) is exactly twice Ω in(9). This reminds us that Ampere's Law is not a standalone equation.…”

“…The velocity corresponds to the magnetic field while F 0 ∝ σ and F 1 ∝ ωò (ignoring the common factor μE 0 /k in (11) and mω in (13)). To complete the analogy for comparison with (12), we rewrite this to illustrate the velocity's phase delay (relative to the expected oscillation phase due to F 1 ):…”

“…Conversely, this author has been unable to find any educational literature that is directly on point. Li et al describe a software package for simulating electromagnetic wave propagation in varying media [12]. This would certainly be a useful visualization tool but it is not focusing on obtaining a better theoretical understanding.…”