For the classical view of propagation, why isn't there propagation parallel to the acceleration? It is my understanding that "kinks," which represent the electric field changing directions, propagate outward, and because there are no kinks in the field lines parallel to the to the acceleration, there is no propagation. But isn't there a "kink" in the magnitude of the electric field which propagates in this direction? It seems as though nonparallel kinks propagate transversely, while the parallel ones should do so longitudinally. Am I looking at this classical explanation too literally, rather than as a teaching tool?

Question

For the classical view of propagation, why isn't there propagation parallel to the acceleration?  It is my understanding that "kinks," which represent the electric field changing directions, propagate outward, and because there are no kinks in the field lines parallel to the to the acceleration, there is no propagation.  But isn't there a "kink" in the magnitude of the electric field which propagates in this direction?  It seems as though nonparallel kinks propagate transversely, while the parallel ones should do so longitudinally.  Am I looking at this classical explanation too literally, rather than as a teaching tool?

kainui · Answer

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you talking about the propagation of an electromagnetic wave?

anonymous · Answer

are you talking about the sinusoidal nature of em waves?