Solution
Related Formula
For a plane electromagnetic wave propagating in a given direction:
- Peak electric field amplitude relates to peak magnetic field amplitude via:
- The directional orientation unit vectors satisfy the cross product relation:
where c points along the wave propagation vector direction.
Core Logic
Given the wave equation format, the phase term (t - (z)/(c)) shows that propagation is along the positive z-axis :
c = kThe magnetic field direction unit vector is :
B = √(3)2 i + (1)/(2) jCompute the electric field direction vector using the cross product relation :
E = B × k = ( √(3)2 i + (1)/(2) j) × k E = √(3)2( i × k) + (1)/(2)( j × k)Using unit vector properties (i × k = - j and j × k = i):
E = - √(3)2 j + (1)/(2) i = (1)/(2) i - √(3)2 jWith peak amplitude E₀ = 30c , the resulting vector equation is:
E = ((1)/(2) i - √(3)2 j)30c [ω(t-(z)/(c))]Pattern Recognition
The vectors E, B, and the propagation direction are always mutually perpendicular. Since E · B = 0, you can quickly double-check your answer by verifying that the \dot product of the final E and B direction options equals zero.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves