The ratio of speeds of electromagnetic waves in vacuum and a medium, having dielectric constant and permeability of , is ( = permeability of vacuum)
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The ratio of speeds of electromagnetic waves in vacuum and a medium, having dielectric constant and permeability of , is ( = permeability of vacuum)
Correct answer:A
Standard Method
Given: Dielectric constant and permeability .
Find: The ratio of speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum to that in the medium.
For electromagnetic waves,
In vacuum,
Since dielectric constant
we get
Also,
So the speed in the medium is
Therefore,
Hence, the required ratio is . The correct option is A.
Using refractive index relation
Given: Relative permittivity and relative permeability .
Find: The ratio of speeds in vacuum and medium.
Use the relation
Thus,
Since refractive index
we get
Therefore, the ratio is . The correct option is A.
Using only and ignoring relative permeability. That is wrong because here is not equal to . Use instead.
Taking the asked ratio as medium to vacuum instead of vacuum to medium. The question asks speed in vacuum and a medium, so compute , not .
Substituting correctly but forgetting that dielectric constant means . Relative permittivity must be converted before applying the speed formula.
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