CBSE Class 12 · 2008 · EM WavesShort Answer

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What is meant by the transverse nature of electromagnetic waves? Draw a diagram showing the propagation of an electromagnetic wave along the x-direction, clearly indicating the directions of the oscillating electric and magnetic fields associated with it.

Solution

Transverse nature means that the oscillating electric and magnetic field vectors are both perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels (and perpendicular to each other).
For a wave moving along x, the electric field may oscillate along y as

E_{y} = E_{0} sin (k x - ω t)

and the magnetic field along z as

B_{z} = B_{0} sin (k x - ω t)

, the two being in phase.
A sketch shows a sinusoidal

E

in the x--y plane and a sinusoidal

B

in the x--z plane, with the wave advancing along x.

E ⊥ B ⊥ direction of propagation

CBSE Class 12 Board · 2008 · Subjective

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