A plane electromagnetic wave travelling in vacuum has a magnetic field amplitude of 3.0 10⁻⁸ T and a wavelength of 600 nm . The amplitude of the oscillating electric field is: (Speed of light in vacuum = 3 10^8 m s ⁻¹ )

Step-by-step solution

Given: Magnetic field amplitude, B₀ = 3.0 10⁻⁸ T Speed of light, c = 3 10^8 m s ⁻¹ The ratio of the amplitudes of the electric and magnetic fields in vacuum is equal to the speed of light, independent of the wavelength. Using the relation c = E₀ B₀ , we get: E₀ = c B₀ E₀ = (3 10^8 m s ⁻¹) (3.0 10⁻⁸ T ) E₀ = 9.0 V m ⁻¹ The wavelength data ( 600 nm ) is extraneous information and is not required for this calculation. Answer: 9.0 V m ⁻¹