Related Formula
v = (ω)/(k)$$v = \frac{\omega}{k}$$
μ = (c)/(v)$$\mu = \frac{c}{v}$$
Core Logic
Compare the given equation with the standard wave equation E = E₀ (ω t - kx)$E = E_0 \sin(\omega t - kx)$ to extract angular frequency (ω$\omega$) and wave number (k$k$). Find wave velocity v$v$ and then refractive index.
Step 1: Extracting Constants
From the given equation E(x,t) = 25 (2.0× 10¹⁵t - 10⁷x) n$\vec{E}(x,t) = 25\sin (2.0\times 10^{15}t - 10^{7}x)\hat{n}$:
ω = 2 × 10¹⁵ ~rad / s$$\omega = 2 \times 10^{15} \mathrm{~rad / s}$$
k = 10⁷ ~m⁻¹$$k = 10^{7} \mathrm{~m}^{-1}$$
Step 2: Calculating Wave Velocity
v = (ω)/(k) = 2 × 10¹⁵10⁷ = 2 × 10⁸ ~m/s$$v = \frac{\omega}{k} = \frac{2 \times 10^{15}}{10^7} = 2 \times 10^8 \mathrm{~m/s}$$
Step 3: Calculating Refractive Index
v = (c)/(μ) ⇒ 2 × 10⁸ = (3 × 10⁸)/(μ)$$v = \frac{c}{\mu} \Rightarrow 2 \times 10^8 = \frac{3 \times 10^8}{\mu}$$
μ = (3 × 10⁸)/(2 × 10⁸) = 1.5$$\mu = \frac{3 \times 10^8}{2 \times 10^8} = 1.5$$
Pattern Recognition
For standard wave format ω t ± kx$\omega t \pm kx$, the ratio ω/k$\omega/k$ immediately yields the phase velocity in the medium.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves