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Transformation of Electric and Magnetic Forces in a Plane Wave, in a Plane Normal to the Direction of Relative Motion of Two Observers
Phys. Rev. 23, 239 – Published 1 February, 1924
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.23.239
Abstract
Two observers are assumed to move along the axis and to measure the components of the electric intensity and magnetic intensity of a plane electromagnetic wave propagated at an arbitrary angle to the axis. According to the theory of relativity, the two observers will find the same values of the components and along the axis. The components , along the and axes, are replotted in a novel manner in the so-called computing plane which consists of two sets of oblique co-ordinates. The angle comprised by each set is uniquely determined by the relative velocity of the two observers. In the computing plane a transformation point is located such that its abscissa and ordinate with respect to one set of oblique axes gives the components and of the wave intensities as measured by one of the observers, while its co-ordinates with respect to the other set of axes gives the values of the same components as measured by the other observer. Another transformation point gives the components and for the two observers. It is shown that the loci of and are ellipses. The results obtained are shown to check with the well-known equations of the theory of relativity. The location of the points and is shown in two simple special cases, and instructions are given for locating them in the general case.
References (2)
- O. W. Richardson, The Electron Theory of Matter, 1916, p. 309
- Snyder and Sisam, Analytic Geometry of Space, Chap. III