Circles are good at math, but what to do if you not have circle shape? Easy, redefine problem until you have numbers that look like the numbers the circle shape uses. Now we can use circle math on and solve problems about non-circles!
The short version is: we use some weird abstractions (i.e., ways of representing complex things) to do math and make sense of things.
The longer version:
Electromagnetic signals are how we transmit data wirelessly. Everything from radio, to wifi, to xrays, to visible light are all made up of electromagnetic signals.
Electromagnetic waves are made up of two components: the electrical part, and the magnetic part. We model them mathematically by multiplying one part (the magnetic part, I think) by the constant i, which is defined as sqrt(-1). These are called “complex numbers”, which means there is a “real” part and a “complex” (or “imaginary”) part. They are often modeled as the diagram OP posted, in that they operate at “right angles” to each other, and this makes a lot of the math make sense. In reality, the way the waves propegate through the air doesn’t look like that exactly, but it’s how we do the math.
It’s a bit like reading a description of a place, rather than seeing a photograph. Both can give you a mental image that approximates the real thing, but the description is more “abstract” in that the words themselves (i.e., squiggles on a page) don’t resemble the real thing.
Yeah I get that, but what’s the application to electromagnetism? I’m an electrician, it’s been a few years since I had to think about induction and capacitance calculations, but I do recall them being based mostly on trigonometry. Where does i come into play, I guess is what I’m asking.
Sorry I insta-deleted because I realized I wasn’t answering the question but it looks like it still slipped through.
I wasn’t answering the question because I don’t know. I’m aware that imaginary numbers play a major role in circuit math, but I also need an expert to ELI5.
This is pretty much the basis behind all math around electromagnetics (and probably other areas).
Would you explain how, for a simpleton?
Circles are good at math, but what to do if you not have circle shape? Easy, redefine problem until you have numbers that look like the numbers the circle shape uses. Now we can use circle math on and solve problems about non-circles!
The short version is: we use some weird abstractions (i.e., ways of representing complex things) to do math and make sense of things.
The longer version:
Electromagnetic signals are how we transmit data wirelessly. Everything from radio, to wifi, to xrays, to visible light are all made up of electromagnetic signals.
Electromagnetic waves are made up of two components: the electrical part, and the magnetic part. We model them mathematically by multiplying one part (the magnetic part, I think) by the constant
i, which is defined assqrt(-1). These are called “complex numbers”, which means there is a “real” part and a “complex” (or “imaginary”) part. They are often modeled as the diagram OP posted, in that they operate at “right angles” to each other, and this makes a lot of the math make sense. In reality, the way the waves propegate through the air doesn’t look like that exactly, but it’s how we do the math.It’s a bit like reading a description of a place, rather than seeing a photograph. Both can give you a mental image that approximates the real thing, but the description is more “abstract” in that the words themselves (i.e., squiggles on a page) don’t resemble the real thing.
Makes sense, thanks. More of a data transmission than an electrical power thing.
Yeah, it’s about how electromagnetic energy travels through space.
Thanks!
deleted by creator
Yeah I get that, but what’s the application to electromagnetism? I’m an electrician, it’s been a few years since I had to think about induction and capacitance calculations, but I do recall them being based mostly on trigonometry. Where does i come into play, I guess is what I’m asking.
Sorry I insta-deleted because I realized I wasn’t answering the question but it looks like it still slipped through.
I wasn’t answering the question because I don’t know. I’m aware that imaginary numbers play a major role in circuit math, but I also need an expert to ELI5.
Yes, relativity for example!