Physics Principles

This simulation demonstrates the fundamental relationship between the electric (E) and magnetic (B) field components of an electromagnetic wave propagating through vacuum, as described by Maxwell's equations.

The amplitude of the electric field (E₀) is directly proportional to the magnetic field amplitude (B₀) through the speed of light in vacuum (c):

E₀ = c × B₀

where c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s (speed of light in vacuum).

The wave propagates in the z-direction (rightward in the simulation), with the electric field oscillating in the x-direction (vertical axis) and the magnetic field oscillating in the y-direction (into/out of the screen).