The medium that light travels through is the EM field

In summary, light is a propagating electromagnetic field that does not require a medium to travel through. Other particles such as electrons, neutrinos, gluons, and gravitational waves also do not require a medium to travel. The electromagnetic field can be seen as the medium for these particles, and it is a more broad concept than just electric or magnetic fields. Photons are also created from the electromagnetic field.
  • #1
cragar
2,552
3
I remember my teacher saying that the medium that light travels through is the EM field ,
is this correct , if so then what is the medium that the electron , or neutrino or gluon travels through . Or what is the medium that a gravitational wave travels through .
 
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  • #2
Light is is a propagating electromagnetic field. It does not require a medium to go through. Your other examples do not require a medium to travel either.
 
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  • #3
ok that's what i was thinking , i thought it was weird how my teacher said it .
On the gravitational wave , the field is not the medium ,
 
  • #4
You can think of the field as the medium. It's just slightly more broad meaning of "field" then simply electric field or magnetic field. You can think of electric and magnetic fields as components of displacement in a more generalized electromagnetic field, in which case, the later does act as a medium.
 
  • #5
are all photons created from an EM field .
 

FAQ: The medium that light travels through is the EM field

1. What is the medium that light travels through?

The medium that light travels through is the electromagnetic field (EM field). This field is a physical field that exists everywhere in space and is responsible for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, including light.

2. Is the EM field the same as the vacuum of space?

No, the EM field exists in the vacuum of space, but it is not the same as the vacuum itself. The vacuum is simply the absence of matter, while the EM field is a physical field that fills the space and interacts with particles and radiation.

3. How does the EM field interact with light?

The EM field interacts with light through the exchange of energy and momentum. As light travels through the field, it creates disturbances in the field, which in turn affects the path and properties of the light.

4. Can light travel through other mediums besides the EM field?

No, light can only travel through the EM field. Other mediums, such as air, water, or glass, are simply transparent to light because they do not absorb or reflect it. The EM field is the only medium that can support the propagation of light.

5. Can the EM field be manipulated to change the properties of light?

Yes, the EM field can be manipulated to change the properties of light. This is the basis for technologies such as lenses, prisms, and mirrors, which use materials with different electromagnetic properties to bend, reflect, and focus light.

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