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

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 12 9 31

Due to presence of an em-wave whose electric component is given by E = 100 (ω t - kx)NC⁻¹ , a cylinder of length 200~cm holds certain amount of em-energy inside it. If another cylinder of same length but half diameter than previous one holds the same amount of em-energy, the magnitude of the electric field of the corresponding em-wave should be modified as

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
Energy Density = (1)/(2) ε₀ E² Total Energy = Energy Density × Volume
Core Logic

Since both cylinders hold equal amounts of electromagnetic energy:

(Energy)₁ = (Energy)₂ (1)/(2) ε₀ E₁² · c π R₁² × L₁ = (1)/(2) ε₀ E₂² · c π R₂² × L₂

Since the lengths are identical (L₁ = L₂), this simplifies to:

E₁² R₁² = E₂² R₂² E₁ R₁ = E₂ R₂

Given the second cylinder has half the diameter (and radius) of the first (R₂ = R₁2):

100 × R₁ = E₂ × R₁2 E₂ = 200 N/C
Step 1: Final Equation Match

The wave equation adjusts its amplitude factor to 200 (ω t - kx)NC⁻¹, which matches option (2).

Pattern Recognition

When energy is constant and volume scales down inversely by a factor of 4 (due to R²), the electric field strength must increase by a factor of √(4) = 2 to maintain balance.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Reference Study Guides

More Electromagnetic Waves Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q47 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Energy Density and Intensity
The equation of the electric field of an electromagnetic wave propagating through free space is given by : E = √(377) (6.27 × 10³ t - 2.09 × 10⁻⁵ x) N/C The average power of the electromagnetic wave is ((1)/(α))W/m². The value of α is ____ (Take μ₀ε₀ = 377 in SI units)
Numerical Answer. Answer: 2 to 2

Solution

Related Formula
I = (1)/(2)ε₀ E₀² c c = 1 μ₀ε₀
Core Logic

The average power per unit area (Intensity) of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is I = (1)/(2)ε₀ E₀² c. We can reorganize the formula using the intrinsic impedance of free space Z₀ = μ₀ε₀ = 377Ω.

Step 1: Rewrite Intensity Formula
I = (1)/(2) ε₀ E₀² 1 μ₀ε₀ I = (1)/(2) E₀² ε₀μ₀

We are given the intrinsic impedance μ₀ε₀ = 377 ε₀μ₀ = (1)/(377).

Step 2: Extract Amplitude and Calculate

From the wave equation, E₀ = √(377) N/C. Substitute into the intensity formula:

I = (1)/(2) (√(377))² × (1)/(377) I = (1)/(2) × 377 × (1)/(377) = (1)/(2) W/m²
Step 3: Compare with given format
I = (1)/(α) α = 2
Pattern Recognition

Sees: "average power... W/m^2" → the problem is asking for Intensity. When given intrinsic impedance (377Ω), use the form I = Erms² / Z₀ = E₀² / (2Z₀) directly.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Q43 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Speed of Electromagnetic Wave
The ratio of speeds of electromagnetic waves in vacuum and a medium, having dielectric constant k = 3 and permeability of μ = 2μ₀ , is (μ₀ = permeability of vacuum)
  • A. 36 : 1
  • B. 3 : 2
  • C. 6 : 1
  • D. √(6) : 1

Solution

Related Formula
v = 1√(μ ε) c = 1√(μ₀ ε₀) n = (c)/(v) = √(μᵣ εᵣ)
Core Logic

The speed of light in a medium is slower than in vacuum by a factor equal to the refractive index n. The relative permittivity (dielectric constant) εᵣ = k = 3. The relative permeability μᵣ = (μ)/(μ₀) = 2.

Step 1: Calculate Ratio
(c)/(v) = √(μᵣ εᵣ) (c)/(v) = √(2 × 3) = √(6)

Thus, the ratio is √(6) : 1.

Pattern Recognition

Refractive index is geometrically derived from electrical properties: n = √(μᵣ εᵣ). Just plug in the constants relative to vacuum values.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Q35 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Electromagnetic Spectrum
Match the List-I with List-II
List-IList-II
A. Radio-waveI. is produced by Magnetron value
B. Micro-waveII. Due to change in the vibrational modes of atoms
C. Infrared-waveIII. Due to inner shell electrons moving from higher energy level to lower energy level
D. X-rayIV. Due to rapid acceleration of electrons
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
  • B. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
  • C. A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III
  • D. A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III

Solution

Core Logic

Mapping production sources to electromagnetic waves: Radio waves: Produced by rapid acceleration and deceleration of electrons in aerials. (A -> IV) Microwaves: Produced by special vacuum tubes like klystrons, magnetrons, and Gunn diodes. (B -> I) Infrared waves: Produced by hot bodies and molecules. They originate due to the change in vibrational modes of atoms/molecules. (C -> II) X-rays: Produced when high-energy electrons are stopped by a metal target, or by transitions of inner shell electrons from a higher to a lower energy level. (D -> III)

Step 1: Final Match

A - IV B - I C - II D - III This corresponds to Option (3).

Pattern Recognition

Memorize fundamental EM wave sources: Radio (accelerating charges), Microwave (magnetrons), IR (vibrational modes/heat), X-ray (inner shell transitions).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Q32 jee_main_2026_28_january_morning Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
The electric field of an electromagnetic wave travelling through a medium is given by E(x,t) = 25 (2.0× 10¹⁵t - 10⁷x) n then the refractive index of the medium is ____. (All given measurement are in SI units)
  • A. 1.2
  • B. 2
  • C. 1.5
  • D. 1.7

Solution

Related Formula
v = (ω)/(k) μ = (c)/(v)
Core Logic

Compare the given equation with the standard wave equation E = E₀ (ω t - kx) to extract angular frequency (ω) and wave number (k). Find wave velocity v and then refractive index.

Step 1: Extracting Constants

From the given equation E(x,t) = 25 (2.0× 10¹⁵t - 10⁷x) n:

ω = 2 × 10¹⁵ ~rad / s k = 10⁷ ~m⁻¹
Step 2: Calculating Wave Velocity
v = (ω)/(k) = 2 × 10¹⁵10⁷ = 2 × 10⁸ ~m/s
Step 3: Calculating Refractive Index
v = (c)/(μ) ⇒ 2 × 10⁸ = (3 × 10⁸)/(μ) μ = (3 × 10⁸)/(2 × 10⁸) = 1.5
Pattern Recognition

For standard wave format ω t ± kx, the ratio ω/k immediately yields the phase velocity in the medium.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Q27 jee_main_2026_28_january_evening Relation Between E and B
A plane electromagnetic wave is moving in free space with velocity c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s and its electric field is given as E = 54 (kz - ω t) j V/m , where j is the unit vector along y-axis. The magnetic field vector B of the wave is :
  • A. -1.8 × 10⁻⁷ (kz - ω t) i T
  • B. 1.4 × 10⁻⁷ (kz - ω t) k T
  • C. 1.4 × 10⁻⁷ (kz - ω t) i T
  • D. +1.8 × 10⁻⁷ (kz - ω t) i T

Solution

Related Formula
B₀ = (E₀)/(c) c = E × B

Where c is the direction of wave propagation.

Core Logic

From the argument of sine (kz - ω t), the wave is propagating along the positive z-axis. Thus, c = k. The electric field oscillates along the y-axis, so E = j.

Step 1: Find Magnetic Field Direction

Using the cross-product relation for directions:

B = c × E = k × j = - i
Step 2: Find Magnetic Field Amplitude
B₀ = (E₀)/(c) = (54)/(3 × 10⁸) = 18 × 10⁻⁸ = 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ T
Step 3: Assemble the Final Vector
B = 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ (kz - ω t) (- i) = -1.8 × 10⁻⁷ (kz - ω t) i T
Pattern Recognition

Always use E × B = c. Given c = k and E = j, B must be - i to satisfy j × (- i) = k.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

More Electromagnetic Waves Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning

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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%)