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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 5

Q jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Electric and Magnetic Field Vectors
The magnetic field of an E.M. wave is given by B=( √(3)2 i+(1)/(2) j)30~ [ω(t-(z)/(c))] (S.I. Units). The corresponding electric field in S.I. units is:
  • A. E = ((1)/(2) i - √(3)2 j)30c [ω (t - zc)]
  • B. \vec{E} = \left(\frac{3}{4}\hat{i} + \frac{1}{4}\hat{j}\right) 30c \cos \left[\omega \left(t - \frac{z}{c}\right)\right]
  • C. E = ((1)/(2) i + √(3)2 j)30c [ω (t + zc)]
  • D. E = ( √(3)2 i -(1)/(2) j)30c [ω (t + zc)]

Solution

Related Formula

For a plane electromagnetic wave propagating in a given direction:

  • Peak electric field amplitude relates to peak magnetic field amplitude via:
E₀ = B₀ · c
  • The directional orientation unit vectors satisfy the cross product relation:
E = B × c

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 = k

The magnetic field direction unit vector is :

B = √(3)2 i + (1)/(2) j

Compute 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 j

With 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

Q jee_main_2025_29_jan_morning Properties of EM Waves
Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Electromagnetic waves carry energy but not momentum. Reason (R): Mass of a photon is zero. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
  • A. (A) is true but (R) is false.
  • B. (A) is false but (R) is true.
  • C. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
  • D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Solution

Related Formula
p = (E)/(c)
Core Logic

Assertion (A) is false because electromagnetic waves carry both energy and finite radiation momentum (p = E/c). Reason (R) is correct because the rest mass of a photon equals zero.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Q38 jee_main_2024_01_february_morning Displacement Current
A parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance C = 200~pF. It is connected to 230~V ac supply with an angular frequency 300~rad/s. The rms value of conduction current in the circuit and displacement current in the capacitor respectively are:
  • A. 1.38~μ A and 1.38~μ A
  • B. 14.3~μ A and 143~μ A
  • C. 13.8~μ A and 138~μ A
  • D. 13.8~μ A and 13.8~μ A

Solution

Related Formula

Capacitive reactance:

XC = (1)/(ω C)

Conduction Current (Irms):

Irms = VrmsXC = Vrms · ω C

Continuity relation: Ic = Id

Core Logic

Given parameters: C = 200~pF = 200 × 10⁻¹²~F, Vrms = 230~V, ω = 300~rad/s.

Calculate current:

I = Vrms · ω C = 230 × 300 × 200 × 10⁻¹²
Step 1: Simplify Numerical Calculation

I = 230 × 60000 × 10⁻¹² = 13.8 × 10⁻⁶~A = 13.8~μ A

By Maxwell's electromagnetic formulation, the displacement current Id within the dielectric space matches the exterior conduction current Ic seamlessly in magnitude.

Pattern Recognition

Factual invariant: Conduction current always equals displacement current inside a standard layout loop context (Ic = Id).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves Class 12 Physics: Alternating Current

Q45 jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Electric and Magnetic Field Relations
A plane electromagnetic wave of frequency 35 MHz travels in free space along the X-direction. At a particular point (in space and time) E = 9.6 j V/m. The value of magnetic field at this point is:
  • A. 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ k T
  • B. 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ i T
  • C. 9.6 j T
  • D. 9.6 × 10⁻⁸ k T

Solution

Related Formula

The relation between the amplitudes of electric field E and magnetic field B in an EM wave is:

c = (E)/(B)

where:

  • c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s is the speed of light.
  • The directions are related by the vector cross product:

E × B = v

where v is the direction of propagation of the EM wave.

Core Logic

Given:

  • Wave propagation direction, v = i (along X-direction)
  • Electric field vector direction, E = j
  • Electric field magnitude, E = 9.6 V/m
Step 1: Calculate Magnetic Field Magnitude

Using the magnitude relation:

B = (E)/(c) = (9.6)/(3 × 10⁸) = 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ T
Step 2: Determine Magnetic Field Direction

Using the direction cross-product rule:

E × B = v j × B = i

Since we know that j × k = i, the direction of the magnetic field must be k:

B = k

Combining the magnitude and direction:

B = 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ k T
Pattern Recognition

A propagation along +x with electric field along +y strictly mandates the magnetic field must point along +z (+y × +z = +x). This instantly eliminates Option 2 and Option 3, leaving only magnitude verification.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Q46 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Energy Density and Intensity
A plane electromagnetic wave propagating in x-direction is described by Ey = (200 Vm⁻¹) [1.5 × 10⁷t - 0.05x]. The intensity of the wave is (Use ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C²N⁻¹m⁻²):
  • A. 35.4 Wm⁻²
  • B. 53.1 Wm⁻²
  • C. 26.6 Wm⁻²
  • D. 106.2 Wm⁻²

Solution

Related Formula
I = (1)/(2) ε₀ E₀² c

Where E₀ is the amplitude of the electric field (200 V/m) and c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s.

Core Logic

Substitute the constants into the equation:

I = (1)/(2) × (8.85 × 10⁻¹²) × (200)² × (3 × 10⁸)
Step 1: Compute value
I = (1)/(2) × 8.85 × 10⁻¹² × 4 × 10⁴ × 3 × 10⁸ I = 2 × 8.85 × 3 × 10⁰ I = 53.1 W/m²
Pattern Recognition

Isolate powers of ten first (10⁻¹² × 10⁴ × 10⁸ = 10⁰) to streamline intermediate tracking accuracy on calculation variables.

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%)