NEETPhysicsElectromagnetic Waves
The electric field of an electromagnetic wave propagating in a vacuum is given by the equation: E = E₀ (kz - t) i Which of the following describes the state of motion of the source charge that could have produced this wave?
Options
- AMoving with a uniform velocity along the z-axis
- BOscillating along the y-axis with a frequency of 2
- COscillating along the x-axis with a frequency of
- DOscillating along the x-axis with a frequency of 2
Correct answer
D. Oscillating along the x-axis with a frequency of 2
Step-by-step solution
An electromagnetic wave is produced by an accelerating or oscillating charge, not by a charge moving with uniform velocity. Thus, the source charge must be oscillating. The given electric field equation E = E₀ (kz - t) i indicates that the wave propagates along the z-axis and the electric field oscillates along the x-axis (due to the i direction). Since the electric field of the radiated wave is parallel to the direction of acceleration of the source charge, the charge must be oscillating along the x-axis. The angu