The magnetic phase change of an electromagnetic wave during reflection

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the limitations of using only the perpendicular electric field component, ##E_\bot##, when analyzing the magnetic field during the reflection of electromagnetic waves. It highlights that the magnetic field direction, represented by ##\overrightarrow{B}##, requires knowledge of both the perpendicular and parallel components of the electric field, as indicated by the equation involving ##\overrightarrow{E}_{\parallel}##. The participants express the need for additional information or methods to fully understand the magnetic phase change. A document is shared that may provide further insights into the topic. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of electromagnetic wave behavior during reflection.
Dom Tesilbirth
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Homework Statement
An electromagnetic wave is incident on a water-air interface. The phase of the perpendicular component of the electric field, ##E_\bot##, of the reflected wave into the water is found to remain the same for all angles of incidence. By what angle does the phase of the magnetic field H change?
Relevant Equations
$$\overrightarrow{B}=\dfrac{1}{v}\widehat{k}\times \overrightarrow{E}$$
If the question had mentioned ##\overrightarrow{E}## instead of ##E_\bot##, then we could have used ##\overrightarrow{B}=\dfrac{1}{v}\widehat{k}\times \overrightarrow{E}## to get the direction of the magnetic field. But the question had only mentioned ##E_\bot##. To my understanding, knowing ##E_\bot## is not enough. Because, according to ##\overrightarrow{B}=\dfrac{1}{v}\widehat{k}\times \overrightarrow{E}=\dfrac{1}{v}\widehat{k}\times \left( \overrightarrow{E}_{\parallel}+\overrightarrow{E}_{\bot}\right)##, the change in ##\overrightarrow{B}## also depends on the change in ##\overrightarrow{E_\parallel}##.Is there any other way to solve this problem?
 
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