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NEET
Exam
NEET
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Electromagnetic Waves

NEET · Physics · Electromagnetic Waves

The magnetic field of a plane electromagnetic wave in vacuum is...

The magnetic field of a plane electromagnetic wave in vacuum is given by:
B⃗=B0cos⁡(ky+ωt)i^\vec{B} = B_0 \cos(ky + \omega t) \hat{i}

Consider the following statements regarding this wave:
(A) The wave propagates in the negative y-direction.
(B) The corresponding electric field oscillates along the negative z-direction.
(C) The amplitudes of the electric and magnetic fields are related by E0=B0cE_0 = \dfrac{B_0}{c}.
(D) The electric and magnetic fields oscillate in phase with each other.

Choose the correct combination of statements from the options given below:

Options

  1. A(A), (C) and (D) only
  2. B(B), (C) and (D) only
  3. C(A), (B) and (D) only
  4. D(A) and (B) only

Correct answer

C. (A), (B) and (D) only

Step-by-step solution

The argument of the cosine function is (ky+ωt)(ky + \omega t), which indicates that the wave propagates in the negative y-direction. Thus, statement (A) is correct.

The direction of propagation of an electromagnetic wave is given by the direction of E^×B^\hat{E} \times \hat{B}. Here, the propagation direction is −j^-\hat{j} and the magnetic field is along i^\hat{i}.
Let the electric field direction be E^\hat{E}. We require E^×i^=−j^\hat{E} \times \hat{i} = -\hat{j}.
Since (−k^)×i^=−j^(-\hat{k}) \times \hat{i} = -\hat{j}, the electric field oscillates along the negative z-direction. Thus, statement (B) is correct.

The amplitudes of the electric and magnetic fields in vacuum are related by E0=cB0E_0 = c B_0. Statement (C) is incorrect.

In a plane electromagnetic wave, the electric and magnetic fields oscillate in phase. Thus, statement (D) is correct.

Therefore, the correct combination is (A), (B) and (D).

Answer: (A), (B) and (D) only
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