The value of \(u\) at any position varies with time, so it’s often more useful to state its average value. The average value of the cosine function squared is \(1/2\), so
In Equation 22-24 we’ve used the root-mean-square (rms) values of the oscillating electric and magnetic fields, \(E_{\mathrm{average}} = E_0\ / \sqrt{2}\) and \(B_{\mathrm{rms}} = B_0\ / \sqrt{2}\) (see Section 21-2).