Identify the correct statements from the following descriptions of various properties of electromagnetic waves.
(A) In a plane electromagnetic wave electric field and magnetic field must be perpendicular to each other and direction of propagation of wave should be along electric field or magnetic field.
(B) The energy in electromagnetic wave is divided equally between electric and magnetic fields.
(C) Both electric field and magnetic field are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of wave.
(D) The electric field, magnetic field and direction of propagation of wave must be perpendicular to each other.
(E) The ratio of amplitude of magnetic field to the amplitude of electric field is equal to speed of light.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
Identify the correct statements from the following descriptions of various properties of electromagnetic waves.
(A) In a plane electromagnetic wave electric field and magnetic field must be perpendicular to each other and direction of propagation of wave should be along electric field or magnetic field.
(B) The energy in electromagnetic wave is divided equally between electric and magnetic fields.
(C) Both electric field and magnetic field are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of wave.
(D) The electric field, magnetic field and direction of propagation of wave must be perpendicular to each other.
(E) The ratio of amplitude of magnetic field to the amplitude of electric field is equal to speed of light.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
- (D) only
- (B) & (D) only
- (B), (C) & (E) only
- (A), (B) & (E) only
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (B) : (B) & (D) only
In an EM wave :
1. \(\stackrel{→}{E} ⊥ \stackrel{→}{B}\)
2.\( \stackrel{→}{V} ≡ \stackrel{→}{E}×\stackrel{→}{B}\)
3. Energy is equally divided
4. \(|\stackrel{→}{V}| = |\stackrel{→}{E}|I|\stackrel{→}{B}|\)
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Concepts Used:
Electromagnetic waves
The waves that are produced when an electric field comes into contact with a magnetic field are known as Electromagnetic Waves or EM waves. The constitution of an oscillating magnetic field and electric fields gives rise to electromagnetic waves.
Types of Electromagnetic Waves:
Electromagnetic waves can be grouped according to the direction of disturbance in them and according to the range of their frequency. Recall that a wave transfers energy from one point to another point in space. That means there are two things going on: the disturbance that defines a wave, and the propagation of wave. In this context the waves are grouped into the following two categories:
- Longitudinal waves: A wave is called a longitudinal wave when the disturbances in the wave are parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave. For example, sound waves are longitudinal waves because the change of pressure occurs parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
- Transverse waves: A wave is called a transverse wave when the disturbances in the wave are perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of propagation of the wave.