Visualization and interpretation for the electromagnetic derivation of Snell´s laws

Author

Scharstein, Robert W.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Alabama Univ., Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

Volume

41

Issue

4

fYear

1998

fDate

11/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

286

Lastpage

292

Abstract

Veritable snapshots-in-time of the vector fields in the classic problem of plane wave refraction at a planar interface are drawn simply and directly using a contour-plotting routine. These field pictures, together with the antecedent mathematics, give students and teachers a panoramic view of the pertinent wave physics. Classroom examples and computer assignments, based on the methodology of this paper, help to underscore the real physical nature of the subject called electromagnetics

Keywords

electrical engineering education; electromagnetic wave refraction; electromagnetism; teaching; Snell´s laws; classroom examples; computer assignments; contour-plotting routine; electromagnetic derivation; engineering education; interpretation; planar interface; plane wave refraction; students; teachers; vector fields; visualization; wave physics; Data visualization; Electromagnetic fields; Electromagnetic refraction; Electromagnetic scattering; Electromagnetic wave polarization; Mathematics; Maxwell equations; Optical refraction; Optical waveguides; Physics;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Education, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9359

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/13.728263

Filename

728263