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Is an electric charge accelerating emitting an electromagnetic wave whether the charge is inside or outside the wire?

1) True
2) False

1 Answer

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Final answer:

An accelerating electric charge emits electromagnetic waves regardless of its location inside or outside a wire. This concept is supported by Maxwell's equations and is a fundamental principle of electromagnetism, also reflected in the direction of electric and magnetic fields around a current-carrying wire.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question at hand relates to whether an electric charge accelerating emits an electromagnetic wave whether the charge is inside or outside a wire. The answer to this question is True. When electric charges accelerate, they do indeed emit electromagnetic waves. This phenomenon is based on Maxwell's equations, which describe the fundamentals of electromagnetism. For instance, when an alternating current flows through a wire, the charges are accelerating back and forth and this acceleration results in the emission of electromagnetic waves. Whether the charges are inside a wire or in free space doesn't affect this fundamental principle.

Further, using Coulomb's law and the definition of the electric field E = F/q, where q is a positive test charge, it can be confirmed that the direction of the electric field produced by the charge distribution in a wire is perpendicular to the direction of the flow of charge. This field direction is consistent with the production of electromagnetic waves as charges accelerate.

Regarding the direction of the magnetic field, it is consistent with the right-hand rule for current. According to this rule, if you curl the fingers of your right hand in the direction of conventional current (positive to negative), your thumb points in the direction of the magnetic field lines. This rule confirms that the direction of the magnetic field produced around a current-carrying wire is due to the movement of electric charges.

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