Answer to Question #217078 in Electricity and Magnetism for Maddy

Question

1. Apply the quantum nature of EM energy and the Bohr model of the atom to explain photon absorption and emission by an atom
2. Explain how EM is transmitted through matter
3. Explain why the speed of an EM wave changes as it passes through matter
4. Relate the concept of resonance to the absorption of EM energy by matter 

Answer 1

1.Atoms give up excess internal energy by giving off photons as electrons. The electron quantum advance between orbits as proposed by Bohr model who observed that atoms emit or absorb electromagnetic radiation only in certain units called quanta.

2. Electromagnetic waves occurs as a result of vibration of an electric charge which has both an electric and a magnetic component.

3. The speed of electromagnetic waves changes as it passes through matter because of the properties of the medium which alters it's speed.

4. Resonance absorption converts electromagnetic (EM) energy to plasma energy on the resonant layer in which the incident EM wave frequency equals to the local frequency of a plasma normal modes.