In: Physics
Consider an electromagnetic harmonic plane wave, where the peak
electric field amplitude is 1 N/C.
a) What is the irradiance of this plane wave?
b) Consider such a wave with a frequency in the centre of the
visible band of the electromagnetic spectrum. What is the number of
photons passing through an area of 1 m2 in 1 second?
(Assume the area the light is passing through is perpendicular to
the wave’s propagation direction).
c) Now consider two additional waves - one in centre of the
microwave band, and the second in the centre of the X-ray band.
Repeat part b) for each of these two waves.