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Electromagnetic Waves appeared 31 times across 3 years — 3.6% of Physics. This question is from Properties of EM Waves.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 12 9 31

The electric field of an electromagnetic wave in free space is represented as E = E₀ (ω t - kz) i The corresponding magnetic induction vector will be:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
B₀ = (E₀)/(C) C = E × B
Core Logic

In an electromagnetic wave in free space, the magnitudes of the electric and magnetic fields are related by E₀ = c B₀. Thus, B₀ = E₀ / C.

The direction of wave propagation is given by the cross product of the electric field and magnetic field vectors: C = E × B.

Step 1: Determine Wave Direction and Magnetic Field Direction

Given the phase term (ω t - kz), the wave propagates in the +z direction, so C = k. The electric field oscillates in the +x direction, so E = i. We know:

k = i × B

Since i × j = k, the magnetic field must oscillate in the +y direction (j).

Step 2: Construct Final Vector

The full magnetic field vector shares the same phase and applies the above amplitude and direction:

B = (E₀)/(C) (ω t - kz) j
Pattern Recognition

Phase remains identical. Amplitude scales by 1/c. Direction satisfies the right-hand triad ( E, B, v) where v = E × B.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Reference Study Guides

More Electromagnetic Waves Previous-Year Questions — Page 7

Q40 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Energy Density Of EM Waves
In a plane EM wave, the electric field oscillates sinusoidally at a frequency of 5 × 10¹⁰ ~Hz and an amplitude of 50 ~Vm⁻¹. The total average energy density of the electromagnetic field of the wave is : [Use ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C² / Nm² ]
  • A. 1.106 × 10⁻⁸ Jm⁻³
  • B. 4.425 × 10⁻⁸ ~Jm⁻³
  • C. 2.212 × 10⁻⁸ ~Jm⁻³
  • D. 2.212 × 10⁻¹⁰ ~Jm⁻³

Solution

Related Formula
Utotal average = (1)/(2)ε₀ E₀²
Core Logic

For an electromagnetic wave, the total average energy density is the sum of the average energy density of the electric field and the magnetic field. They are equal, so:

Uavg = UE + UB = 2UE = 2 ( (1)/(4)ε₀ E₀² ) = (1)/(2)ε₀ E₀²

Where E₀ is the amplitude of the electric field.

Step 2: Substitution

Given: E₀ = 50 V/m ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C²/(N· m²)

Uavg = (1)/(2) × (8.85 × 10⁻¹²) × (50)² Uavg = (1)/(2) × 8.85 × 10⁻¹² × 2500 Uavg = 1.10625 × 10⁻⁸ J/m³
Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

More Electromagnetic Waves Questions — jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning

Practice all Electromagnetic Waves previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)