Chapter 16, Problem 1CQ

To determine

The characteristic that lead Maxwell to predict that light are electromagnetic waves.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

The observation that the speed of the electromagnetic wave is close to the speed of light leads to the conclusion that light is an electromagnetic wave

Explanation of Solution

Maxwell had studied about the combined effect of electric and magnetic field. He found out that the changing electric field could produce changing magnetic field and vice versa. Electromagnetic waves can be produced by accelerating electric charge.

The electromagnetic wave could travel in space with a speed which depends on the electric and magnetic property of the surrounding space. When calculated, it had been found that the speed of electromagnetic wave through vacuum is close to the speed of light. This circumstance lead to the conclusion that light is an electromagnetic wave.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the speed of the electromagnetic wave is close to the speed of light leads to the conclusion of light is an electromagnetic wave.