The electric field of a plane electromagnetic wave, travelling in an unknown non-magnetic medium is given by,
(where , and other values have S.I. units). The dielectric constant of the medium is _____.
The electric field of a plane electromagnetic wave, travelling in an unknown non-magnetic medium is given by,
(where , and other values have S.I. units). The dielectric constant of the medium is _____.
Correct answer:4
Standard Method
Given:
Find: The dielectric constant of the non-magnetic medium.
The general equation of a plane electromagnetic wave is:
Comparing with the given equation gives the values of and above.
Step 1: Calculate the speed of the wave in the medium.
Step 2: Find refractive index of the medium. Speed of light in vacuum:
Step 3: Calculate dielectric constant. Since the medium is non-magnetic:
Therefore, the dielectric constant of the medium is .
Using refractive index relation
Given: For a non-magnetic medium, dielectric constant is equal to the square of the refractive index.
Find: The value of dielectric constant.
First determine the wave speed from the wave equation coefficients:
Substituting,
Now compare with the speed of light in vacuum:
For a non-magnetic medium,
Hence,
So, the required numerical answer is .
Using instead of . This inverts the wave speed and gives an incorrect refractive index. Always compare the given wave with and use .
Taking dielectric constant equal to refractive index. This is wrong for a non-magnetic medium because the correct relation is , not . First find , then square it.
Ignoring that the medium is non-magnetic. The relation holds here because magnetic permeability is effectively that of free space. Use the non-magnetic condition before converting refractive index to dielectric constant.
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