Poynting vector

Meaning

Noun

• The vector obtained in the direction of a right-hand screw from the cross product (vector product) of the electric field vector rotated into the magnetic field vector of an electromagnetic wave. Note: The Poynting vector, with transmission media parameters and constants, gives the irradiance and direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave. Mathematically: $\backslash vec\; P\; =\; \backslash vec\; E\; \backslash times\; \backslash vec\; H$.

Origin

• After English physicist John Henry Poynting (1852–1914).