An electromagnetic wave propagating in free space has a uniform intensity of 1500 W m ⁻² . The amplitude of the magnetic field of the wave is: (Given: speed of light c = 3 10^8 m s ⁻¹ , permeability of free space ₀ = 4 10⁻⁷ T m A ⁻¹ )

Step-by-step solution

The intensity I of an electromagnetic wave in terms of the peak magnetic field B₀ is given by: I = 1 2 B₀^2 ₀ c Rearranging the formula to solve for the amplitude of the magnetic field B₀ : B₀ = 2 ₀ I c Substituting the given values: B₀ = 2 (4 10⁻⁷) ( 1500 ) 3 10^8 B₀ = 8 1500 10⁻⁷ 3 10^8 B₀ = 12000 10⁻⁷ 3 10^8 B₀ = 4000 10⁻¹⁵ B₀ = 4 10⁻¹² B₀ = 2.0 10⁻⁶ T Answer: 2.0 10⁻⁶ T