Discuss how Maxwell\'s predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out
ID: 2255999 • Letter: D
Question
Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.
Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.
Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.
Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.
Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.
Discuss how Maxwell's predictions were confirmed by the experiments carried out by Hertz.
Explanation / Answer
Heinrich Hertz generated and detected certain types of electromagnetic waves in the laboratory. He performed a series of experiments that not only confirmed the existence of electromagnetic waves, but also verified that they travel at the speed of light.
Hertz used an AC RLC (resistor-inductor-capacitor) circuit that resonates at a known frequency and connected it to a loop of wire. High voltages induced across the gap in the loop produced sparks that were visible evidence of the current in the circuit and that helped generate electromagnetic waves. Across the laboratory, Hertz had another loop attached to another RLC circuit, which could be tuned (as the dial on a radio) to the same resonant frequency as the first and could, thus, be made to receive electromagnetic waves. This loop also had a gap across which sparks were generated, giving solid evidence that electromagnetic waves had been received.
Maxwell's equations predict that all light waves have the same structure, regardless of wavelength and frequency, so even though radio and x-rays, for example, hadn't been discovered, Maxwell predicted that such waves would have to exist.
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