The corresponding range of wave-lengths of sound would be a little more
than eight octaves, of which the visible part of the spectrum is less
than one.
Electromagnetic Induction.--In the attempt to explain the nature of an
electromagnetic wave (pp. 17-21) it was stated that an electric wave
must always be accompanied by a magnetic wave. In order to {81}
understand the production of these waves, the relation between electric
and magnetic lines of force must be stated in more detail. A large
number of quite simple experiments show that whenever the electric
field at any point is changing, _i.e._ whenever the lines of force are
moving perpendicular to themselves, a magnetic field is produced at the
point, and this magnetic field lasts while the change is taking place.
An exactly similar result is observed when the magnetic field at a
point is changing--an electric field is produced which lasts while the
magnetic field is changing. When the electric field changes,
therefore, there is both an action and a reaction--a magnetic field is
produced and this change in magnetic field produces a corresponding
electric field. This induced electric field is always of such a kind
as to delay the change in the original electric field; if the original
field is becoming weaker the induced field is in the same direction,
thus delaying the weakening, and if the original field is becoming
stronger the induced field is in the opposite direction, thus delaying
the increase.
+Momentum of Moving Electric Field.+--Imagine now a small portion of an
electric field moving at a steady speed; it will produce, owing to its
motion, a steady magnetic field. If now the motion be stopped, the
magnetic field will be destroyed, and the change in the magnetic field
will produce an electric field so as to delay the change, _i.e._ so as
to continue the original motion. The moving electric field thus has
momentum in exactly the same way as a moving mass has. The parallel
between the two {82} is strictly accurate. The mass has energy due to
its motion, and in order to stop the mass this energy must be converted
into some other form of energy and work must therefore be done. The
electric field has energy due to its motion--the energy of the magnetic
field--and therefore to stop the motion of the electric field, the
energy of the magnetic field must be converted into some other form,
and work must therefore be done. One consequence of the momentum of a
moving mass is well illustrated by the pendulum. The bob of the
pendulum is in equilibrium when it is at its lowest point, but when it
is displaced from that point and allowed to swing, it does not swing to
its lowest point and stay there, but is carried beyond that point by
its momentum. The work done in displacing the bob soon brings it to
rest on the other side, and it swings back again only to overshoot the
mark again. The friction in the support of the pendulum and the
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