If the electric field of a beam of light exceeds the breakdown value for air, th

Question

If the electric field of a beam of light exceeds the breakdown value for air, the beam does not propagate through the air. The maximum value for the electric field is 3.0 x 106 V/m. (a) What is the maximum amplitude of the magnetic field for this light wave. {0.01 T} (b) Calculate the intensity of this wave. {1.19 x 109 W/m2} (c) Describe what happens when the wave intensity is higher than this value.

Explanation / Answer

a) qE = q*v*B => E = c*B ( v= c being speed of light) => B = E/c = 3x10^6 / 3x10^8 = 0.01 T b) Intensity of EM wave = (c*n*epsilon*E^2)/2 in this case, n =1 => Intensity I = (3x10^8*1*(8.854*10^-12)*(3x10^6)^2)/2 = 1.19x10^9 c) If the intensity of the wave is higher than this value then wave would not propagate through air.

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