MCQMediumJEE 2025Characteristics of EM Waves

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

The magnetic field of an E.M. wave is given by: B=(32i^+12j^)30sin(ω(tzc))\vec{B} = \left( \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{i} + \frac{1}{2} \hat{j} \right) 30 \sin \left( \omega \left( t - \frac{z}{c} \right) \right) The corresponding electric field in S.I. units is:

  • A

    E=(12i^+32j^)30csin(ω(t+zc))\vec{E} = \left( \frac{1}{2} \hat{i} + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{j} \right) 30 c \sin \left( \omega \left( t + \frac{z}{c} \right) \right)

  • B

    E=(34i^+14j^)30ccos(ω(tzc))\vec{E} = \left( \frac{3}{4} \hat{i} + \frac{1}{4} \hat{j} \right) 30 c \cos \left( \omega \left( t - \frac{z}{c} \right) \right)

  • C

    E=(32i^12j^)30csin(ω(t+zc))\vec{E} = \left( \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{i} - \frac{1}{2} \hat{j} \right) 30 c \sin \left( \omega \left( t + \frac{z}{c} \right) \right)

  • D

    E=(12i^32j^)30csin(ω(tzc))\vec{E} = \left( \frac{1}{2} \hat{i} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{j} \right) 30 c \sin \left( \omega \left( t - \frac{z}{c} \right) \right)

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The magnetic field is

B=(32i^+12j^)30sin[ω(tzc)]\vec{B} = \left( \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{i} + \frac{1}{2} \hat{j} \right) 30 \sin \left[ \omega \left( t - \frac{z}{c} \right) \right]

Find: The corresponding electric field E\vec{E} in S.I. units.

For an electromagnetic wave, the electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular and related through the speed of light. The phase factor ω(tzc)\omega\left(t-\frac{z}{c}\right) shows that the wave propagates along the positive zz-direction.

The solution uses the relation

E=B×c,E0=B0c\vec{E} = \vec{B} \times \vec{c}, \qquad E_0 = B_0 c

so the electric field has magnitude

E0=30cE_0 = 30c

Direction and final expression

Using the working shown in the solution, the final direction of the electric field is obtained as

E=(12i^32j^)30csin[ω(tzc)]\vec{E} = \left( \frac{1}{2} \hat{i} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{j} \right) 30c \sin \left[ \omega \left( t - \frac{z}{c} \right) \right]

Therefore, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming E\vec{E} is parallel to B\vec{B}. In an electromagnetic wave, E\vec{E} and B\vec{B} are mutually perpendicular. Always use the propagation direction together with the perpendicularity condition.

  • Missing the sign of propagation from the phase term. The expression ω(tzc)\omega\left(t-\frac{z}{c}\right) represents propagation along positive zz, so the direction of E\vec{E} must be chosen consistently with the right-hand rule.

  • Using the wrong magnitude relation between the fields. In S.I. units, the amplitudes satisfy E0=cB0E_0 = cB_0, not E0=B0cE_0 = \frac{B_0}{c}. This changes the coefficient in the final option.

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