Monday, 31 October 2016

electromagnetism - Path of EM wave propagation in a circuit wire


The image is my visualization of drift velocity and electromagnetic (EM) propagation of charge wave in a closed circuit. The slow drift velocity of the electrons follows the path of the circuit (a circle wire). Does the the EM wave follow the same path of that of the drift velocity?


Since textbooks and online resources I found offer no understandable description/differentiation, I assume they take the same path (of the circuit wire).


But I cannot understand why:


(1) If the wave is induced by and propagation from the voltage source (battery), then it should take the vector path of the magnetic field created by the battery, instead of the circuit path.


(2) If the electromagnetic wave is caused by some ballistic effect (electron “pressuring” the next electron like water molecules in a tube), then shouldn’t the wave left tangent to the wire and shoot to outer space? (similar in sound wave, when enter image description hereI shout, the sound wave goes in all direction but not through a specific path of the target person). But we know there is magnetic field caused by current is wrapping around the wire; so what is confining the wave to go into wire path?





EDIT 1


Perhaps I should elaborate that I am not asking about the radiation or antenna effect. I am curious on the actual "electricity/energy/signal" current (not the drift current by electrons) going in the path of the circuit wire instead of radiating outwards. I have amend the picture so it looks more like a current going through a bulb rather than looking like an antenna. (sorry for the bad drawing..I did my best job)


enter image description here




EDIT 2


To rephrase my question with a better picture, when the battery apply a electric potential to an closed circuit wire, there are two currents - the very slow drift current from electrons, and the current in form of EM wave traveling near the speed of light. What is causing the EM wave the bend and turn along the wire?


enter image description here




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