In electromagnetism, electromagnetic waves in vacuum travel at the speed of light c, according to Maxwell's Equations. The retarded time is the time when the field began to propagate from a point in a charge distribution to an observer. The term "retarded" is used in this context (and the literature) in the sense of propagation delays.
Read more about Retarded Time: Retarded and Advanced Times, Application
Famous quotes containing the words retarded and/or time:
“Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge.”
—David Hume (1711–1776)
“I know, it must have been my imagination, but it makes me realize how desperately alone the Earth is. Hanging in space like a speck of food floating in the ocean. Sooner or later to be swallowed up by some creature floating by.... Time will tell, Dr. Mason. We can only wait and wonder. Wonder how, wonder when.”
—Tom Graeff. Young astronomer, Teenagers from Outer Space, after just seeing the invading spaceship through his telescope, and dismissing it (1959)