JEE Main · Physics → Steady

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

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 12 9 31

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)

Solution & Explanation

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

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_2026_23_january_evening

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%)