This document summarizes an experiment on the phase and group velocity of electromagnetic waves. It defines phase velocity as the speed at which the crest of a wave travels, and group velocity as the speed at which the envelope of a wave packet travels. The experiment shows that when two waves are added together, their amplitude is modulated by a beat frequency that travels at the group velocity. The group velocity depends on the difference between the waves' angular frequencies and wavenumbers, while the phase velocity is unaffected by these differences. Phase and group velocity are equal only when there is no dispersion in the medium.
This document summarizes an experiment on the phase and group velocity of electromagnetic waves. It defines phase velocity as the speed at which the crest of a wave travels, and group velocity as the speed at which the envelope of a wave packet travels. The experiment shows that when two waves are added together, their amplitude is modulated by a beat frequency that travels at the group velocity. The group velocity depends on the difference between the waves' angular frequencies and wavenumbers, while the phase velocity is unaffected by these differences. Phase and group velocity are equal only when there is no dispersion in the medium.
This document summarizes an experiment on the phase and group velocity of electromagnetic waves. It defines phase velocity as the speed at which the crest of a wave travels, and group velocity as the speed at which the envelope of a wave packet travels. The experiment shows that when two waves are added together, their amplitude is modulated by a beat frequency that travels at the group velocity. The group velocity depends on the difference between the waves' angular frequencies and wavenumbers, while the phase velocity is unaffected by these differences. Phase and group velocity are equal only when there is no dispersion in the medium.
This document summarizes an experiment on the phase and group velocity of electromagnetic waves. It defines phase velocity as the speed at which the crest of a wave travels, and group velocity as the speed at which the envelope of a wave packet travels. The experiment shows that when two waves are added together, their amplitude is modulated by a beat frequency that travels at the group velocity. The group velocity depends on the difference between the waves' angular frequencies and wavenumbers, while the phase velocity is unaffected by these differences. Phase and group velocity are equal only when there is no dispersion in the medium.
No: 3 Phase and Group velocity of EM waves Name: Rahul Karthik S
Date: 12.10.21 Reg. No: 21BME1059 Tools required: http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/GroupAndPhaseVelocity/ Objective: To understand the nature of EM waves travelling in a medium with the help of Phase and Group velocities. Theory: Any real signal consists of travelling-waves of many different frequencies, which travel together as a group, at a speed that will always be less than or equal to the speed of light in vacuum. To gain some insight into what may happen when a real signal travels through a dispersive medium, we consider adding two waves of equal amplitude. When two travelling waves with unit amplitude 𝑓1 (𝑧, 𝑡) = cos(𝑘1 𝑧 − 𝜔1 𝑡) and 𝑓2 (𝑧, 𝑡) = cos(𝑘2 𝑧 − 𝜔2 𝑡) are added, we get
∆𝑘 𝑘1 −𝑘2 𝑘 +𝑘 𝜔 +𝜔 Where ≡ ,𝑘̅ ≡ 1 2 2, and 𝜔 ̅ ≡ 1 2 2. 2 2 𝜔̅ The result is a fast oscillating wave that travels with a phase velocity 𝑣𝑝 = ̅𝑘 and the ∆𝑘 ∆𝜔 amplitude of this wave is being modulated in space and time by 2 cos ( 2 𝑧 − 𝑡). This 2 ∆𝜔/2 modulated wave travels at the group velocity given by 𝑣𝑔 = . ∆𝑘/2 Observation table: S. ∆𝜔 ∆𝑘 Wave pattern of the resultant waves 𝑣𝑔 No 1 0.05 0.05 1
2 0.075 0.075 1 3 0.125 0.125 1
4 0.15 0.15 1
5 0.175 0.175 1
Inferences: 1) Are the wave patterns for various values of Δω and Δk same? If not, why? Answer: No, the wave patterns for the various values of Δω and Δk are not same because ∆𝜔 𝑣𝑔 = and since ∆𝜔 and ∆𝑘 different therefore 𝑣𝑔 is also different. Hence wave patterns ∆𝑘 are also different. 2) Comment on the Phase velocity (Vp) of the waves for increased values of Δω and Δk. Answer: Phase velocity (𝑣𝑝 ) depends on the phase refractive index of the medium. So the increasing values of ∆𝜔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∆𝑘 does not affect the phase velocity. 3) When do we see Vp and Vg being the same? Answer: Group velocity and phase velocity are equal when there is no dispersion. 4) Draw a typical dispersion relation curve (ω-k curve) for Vp = Vg and Vp ≠ Vg cases. Answer: 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑣𝑔 𝑣𝑝 > 𝑣𝑔 𝑣𝑝 < 𝑣𝑔
