PYL 101

Tutorial #4
Problem 1: Write down the (real) electric and magnetic fields for a monochromatic plane wave having amplitude E0,
frequency ω, and phase angle zero that is-
(a) traveling in the negative x-direction and polarized in the z-direction.
(b) traveling in the direction from the origin to the point (1, 1, 1), with polarization parallel to the xz-plane.
ෝ.
In each case, sketch the wave, and give the explicit cartesian components of k and 𝐧
 𝜔
Ans: (a) ෝ
𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝒌 = − 𝑐 𝒙

ෝ = 𝒛ො
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝒏

𝜔
Now - 𝒌. 𝒓 = − ෝ . 𝑥ෝ
𝒙 𝒙 + 𝑦ෝ𝒚 + 𝑧ො𝒛
𝑐
𝜔
𝒌. 𝒓 = − 𝑥
𝑐
𝑆𝑜, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 − 𝑬(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐸0 cos (𝒌. 𝒓 – ωt) 𝒛ො

⇒ 𝑬(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐸0 cos
𝜔
𝑥 + ωt 𝒛ො
𝑐

𝑘 ෡ ×𝑬
Again 𝑩 = 𝒌
𝜔

𝐸0 𝜔
⇒ 𝑩(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + ωt 𝒚
ෝ
𝐶 𝑐
 (b) 𝜔 ෝ
𝒙+ෝ
𝒚+ො𝒛
𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝒌 = 𝑐 3

𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑛ො 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑥𝑧 − 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒. 𝑆𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝛼ෝ

𝒙 + 𝛽ො𝒛
Now, 𝑬. 𝒌 = 0

⇒ ෡=0
ෝ. 𝒌
𝒏 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝛽 = −1 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝛼 = 1
1
So - ෝ =
𝒏 ෝ − 𝒛ො
𝒙
2
𝜔
⇒ 𝒌. 𝒓 = 𝑥+𝑦+𝑧
3𝑐
𝑆𝑜, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 −
𝜔 ෝ
𝒙−ො𝒛
𝑬(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝐸0 cos 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡
3𝑐 2

𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 −

𝐸0 𝜔 −ෝ
𝒙+2ෝ
𝒚−ො𝒛
𝑩(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = cos 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡
𝑐 3𝑐 6
Problem 2: Suppose a plane wave of frequency w, propagating in the z-direction and polarized in the x-direction, is normally
incident on an interface between two linear dielectric media.

(a) Prove that the polarization of the reflected as well as the transmitted waves remain as that of the incident wave.
(b) Calculate the exact reflection and transmission coefficients of the plane wave (assume 𝜇1 ≠ 𝜇2 ≠ 𝜇0 ). Also prove that
energy is conserved in that case.
Ans. (a) Now, let’s consider that polarization direction of reflected and transmitted waves are
ෝ + sin 𝜃𝑅 𝒚ෝ and 𝒏
ෝ 𝑅 = cos 𝜃𝑅 𝒙
𝒏 ෝ + sin 𝜃𝑇 𝒚
ෝ 𝑇 = cos 𝜃𝑇 𝒙 ෝ

Now, we have to prove 𝜃𝑇 = 𝜃𝑅 = 0

|| ||
|| || 𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐
Two applicable boundary conditions (z=0) are, i) 𝑬𝟏 = 𝑬𝟐 & 𝑖𝑖) =
𝜇1 𝜇2

i) 𝐸෨0𝐼 𝒙ෝ + 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝒏
ෝ 𝑅 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝒏
ෝ𝑇 … … … . 𝑒𝑞(1)
𝜇 𝑣
ii) 𝐸෨0𝐼 𝒚
ෝ − 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝒛ො × 𝒏
ෝ 𝑅 = 1 1 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝒛ො × 𝒏
ෝ𝑇 ………. 𝑒𝑞(2)
𝜇 𝑣
2 2

So, y component of eq(1), 𝐸෨0𝑅 sin 𝜃𝑅 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 sin 𝜃𝑇

𝜇 𝑣
x component of eq(2), 𝐸෨0𝑅 sin 𝜃𝑅 = − 𝜇1𝑣1 𝐸෨0𝑇 sin 𝜃𝑇
2 2

Comparing these two we can say that, sin 𝜃𝑇 = sin 𝜃𝑅 = 0

𝜃𝑅 = 𝜃𝑇 = 0

Hence, 𝒏 ෝ and 𝒏
ෝ𝑅 = 𝒙 ෝ
ෝ𝑇 = 𝒙

i.e. the polarization of the reflected as well as the transmitted waves remain as that of the incident wave.
Ans.(b) The electric and magnetic fields for incident, reflected and transmitted wave are-
1
෩ ෨
𝑬𝑰 (𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝐸0𝐼 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘1 𝑧−𝜔𝑡) ෝ
𝒙 ෩
𝑩𝑰 (𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝐵෨ 0𝐼 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
ෝ
𝑣1
෩ 𝑹 (𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ 1
𝑩𝑹 (𝑧, 𝑡) = − 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
෩ ෝ
𝑣1
෩ 𝑻 (𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ 1
෩ 𝑻 (𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
𝑩 ෝ
𝑣2
Applying boundary condition (z = 0 ) :-
𝐸෨0𝐼 + 𝐸෨0𝑅 = 𝐸෨0𝑇
Solve these two equation
𝐸෨0𝐼 − 𝐸෨0𝑅 = 𝛽 𝐸෨0𝑇
2 2
Since, 𝐸0𝑅 1−𝛽 𝜇1 𝑣1
𝑅= = Where, 𝛽=
𝐸01 1+𝛽 𝜇2 𝑣2
2
𝜀2 𝑣2 𝐸0𝑇 μ1 ≠ μ2 ≠ μ0
And, 𝑇 =
𝜀1 𝑣1 𝐸01
2 2
𝐸0𝑇 2
⇒ 𝑇 = 𝛽. = 𝛽.
𝐸01 1+𝛽
2 2
1−𝛽 2
Now, 𝑅+𝑇 = + 𝛽. ⇒ 𝑅+𝑇 =1 i.e. energy is conserved
1+𝛽 1+𝛽
Problem 3: Find the expressions for skin depths for a poor conductor (𝜎 << 𝜔𝜖) and for a good conductor (𝜎 >> 𝜔𝜖).
Calculate the skin depths for pure water (𝜖𝑟 = 80, 𝜎 = 4 × 10−6 Ohm-1m-1) and for a typical metal (𝜎 ≈ 107 Ohm-1m-1) in
the visible range (𝜔 ≈ 1015 /s). Assume 𝜇 ≈ 𝜇0 .
Ans: complex propagation constant: 𝑘෨ = 𝑘 + 𝑖 𝜅
1/2 1/2
𝜀𝜇 𝜎 2
Where, 𝜀𝜇 𝜎 2 𝜅 = ω 1+ − 1
𝑘 = ω 1+ +1 and 2 𝜔𝜖
2 𝜔𝜖

For, poor conductor 𝜎 2 𝜎 2

σ << ωε ⇒ << 1 For, good conductor σ >> ωε ⇒ >> 1
𝜔𝜖 𝜔𝜖
𝜀𝜇 1 𝜎 𝜎 𝜇 𝜀𝜇 𝜎 𝜇𝜎𝜔
Hence, 𝜅 = ω . = Hence, 𝜅 = ω =
2 2 𝜔𝜖 2 𝜖 2 𝜔𝜖 2
1 2 𝜖 ⇒ 𝑘≅𝜅
Hence, 𝑑 = =𝜎
𝜅 𝜇
1 2
Hence, 𝑑 = =
Now, for pure water 𝜅 𝜇𝜎𝜔
𝜖
𝜖𝑟 = 𝜖 = 80 Now, typical metal
0
𝜎𝑚 = 107 (𝑜ℎ𝑚. 𝑚)−1
𝜎𝑤 = 4 × 10−6 (𝑜ℎ𝑚. 𝑚)−1
𝜇 ≅ 𝜇0 𝜇 ≅ 𝜇0 , 𝜔 = 1015 /s

Hence, 2 𝜖0 𝜖𝑟 Hence, 2
𝑑 = 𝑑 =
𝜎 𝜇 𝜇𝜎𝜔

⇒ 𝑑 = 1.19 × 104 m ⇒ 𝑑 ≈ 5 × 10−9 m

Problem 4: Show that in a good conductor (a typical metal, for example), magnetic field lags the electric field by 45 degrees.
Find the ratio between their amplitudes (𝜎 ≈ 107 Ohm-1m-1 ,𝜔 ≈ 1015 /s). Also show that the magnetic energy density
dominates over the electric one. Assume 𝜇 ≈ 𝜇0 and 𝜖 ≈ 𝜖0 .
Ans: If the complex amplitude of the fields are such that
෩ 𝟎 = 𝐸0 𝑒 𝑖𝛿𝐸
𝑬 And ෩ 𝟎 = 𝐵0 𝑒 𝑖𝛿𝐵
𝑩 Phase difference: 𝛿𝐵 = 𝛿𝐸 + 𝜙

−1 𝜅
Now, : 𝑘෨ = 𝑘 + 𝑖 𝜅 ⇒ 𝜙 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝑘
Since , for a good conductor, 𝑘≅𝜅
⇒ 𝜙 = 45°
Now, the ratio 𝐵0 ෨
𝑘 K 𝑘 2 + 𝜅2
= = =
𝐸0 𝜔 𝜔 𝜔

⇒ 𝐵0 𝜇𝜎
=
𝐸0 𝜔

⇒ 𝐵0
= 4.4 × 10−8 sec/m
𝐸0

𝐵02
And, 𝑢𝑚 𝜇
= 2
𝑢𝑒 𝜖𝐸0
2
𝑢𝑚 𝐵0
⇒ = 𝑐2 ≅ 200 i.e., the magnetic energy dominate.
𝑢𝑒 𝐸0
Problem 5: Find the reflection coefficient of light at an air-to-gold interface (𝜇1 = 𝜇2 = 𝜇0 , 𝜖1 = 𝜖0 , 𝜎 = 8 × 107
Ohm-1m-1) at optical frequencies (𝜔 = 4 × 1015 /s).
Ans: Suppose XY-plane represents the boundary between air (non conducting) and gold (conducting) medium and a wave is
traveling in z-direction and polarized in the x-direction then-
1
෩ ෨
𝑬𝑰 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸0𝐼 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘1 𝑧−𝜔𝑡) ෝ
𝒙, ෩
𝑩 𝑰 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐵෨ 0𝐼 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
ෝ
𝑣1
෩ 𝑹 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ, 1
𝑩𝑹 𝑧, 𝑡 = − 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
෩ ෝ
𝑣 1
෩ 𝑻 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘෨ 2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ, 𝑘෨ 2 ෨
𝑩𝑻 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
෩ ෝ
After solve the boundary conditions (𝑧 = 0) 𝜔
1−𝛽 ෩
𝐸෨0𝑅 = ෩ 𝐸෨0𝐼
1+𝛽
෩ 2 ෩
1−𝛽 1−𝛽 1− ෩
𝛽∗ ……………eq(1)
Since, R= ෩ = ෩
1+𝛽 1+𝛽 1+ ෩
𝛽∗

𝜇 𝑣
𝛽෨ = 1 1 𝑘෨ 2
𝜇2 ω

⇒ 𝜇1 𝑣1
𝛽෨ = (𝑘2 + 𝑖𝜅2 ) Since, for good conductor 𝜅2 ≅ 𝑘2 ≅
𝜎𝜔𝜇2
𝜇2 ω
2

⇒ σ𝜇0
𝛽෨ = 𝑐 (1 + 𝑖) 𝜇1 = 𝜇2 = 𝜇0
2𝜔

⇒ σ𝜇0
𝛽෨ = 𝛾(1 + 𝑖) assume, 𝛾 = 𝑐 = 13
2𝜔
(1−𝛾)2 + 𝛾2
⇒ 𝑅 = = 0.86
(1+𝛾)2 + 𝛾2 i.e., 86% of the light is reflected.
Problem 6: The intensity of sunlight hitting the earth is about 1300 W/m2.

(a) If sunlight strikes a perfect absorber, what pressure does it exert? How about a perfect reflector? What fraction of
atmospheric pressure does this amount to?
(b) Assuming the sunlight as monochromatic wave with wavelength of 6000𝐴,ሶ calculate the electric field associated with it, on
the surface of the earth.
Ans: (a) When light falls (at normal incidence) on a perfect absorber it delivers its momentum to the surface.

The radiation pressure is: 𝐼 Where, I = intensity of light

𝑃 =
𝑐 c = speed of light in vacuum

𝐼
So, 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑐
= 4.5 × 10−6 N/𝑚2

On a perfect reflector, the pressure is twice as great. So,

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑓 = 2 × 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 9 × 10−6 N/𝑚2

Since, 1 atm = 1.03 × 105 N/𝑚2

⇒ 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 4.37 × 10−11 atm,

𝐴𝑛𝑑, 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑓 = 8.74 × 10−11 atm

(b)
wavelength of the sunlight 𝜆 = 6000𝐴ሶ 𝐼 = 1300 W/m2

If the electric field amplitude of the incident sunlight is 𝐸0 , then

1
⇒ 𝐼= c𝜖0 𝐸02
2
2𝐼
⇒ 𝐸02 =
c𝜖0

⇒ 𝐸0 ≅ 990 V/m

Let the wave is propagating in z-direction and polarized in x-direction

Now, 2𝜋
𝒌= 𝒛ො
𝜆
⇒ 𝒌 = 3.33𝜋 × 106 𝒛ො

And, 𝜔 = 𝑐𝑘 ≈ 𝜋 × 1015

Hence, the electric field is- 𝑬 = 990 𝑒 𝑖 3.33𝜋×106 𝑧−𝜋×1015 𝑡 ෝ

𝒙
Problem 7: Light of angular frequency ω passes from medium 1, through a slab (of thickness d) of medium 2, and into
medium 3. Show that the transmission coefficient for normal incidence is given by-

2 2 2 2
1 𝑛1 − 𝑛2 𝑛3 − 𝑛2 𝑛2 𝜔𝑑
𝑇 −1 = 𝑛1 + 𝑛3 2 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
4𝑛1 𝑛3 𝑛22 𝑐

All three media are linear and homogeneous; assume 𝜇1 = 𝜇2 = 𝜇3 = 𝜇0 .

Ans. Let’s consider, a wave traveling in z-direction and polarized in the x-direction then-

At z<0, 1
෩ 𝑰 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥
෩ 𝑰 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝐼 𝑒
𝑬 𝑖(𝑘1 𝑧−𝜔𝑡) ෝ
𝒙 𝑩 𝐸෨0𝐼 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘1 𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
ෝ
𝑣1
෩ 𝑹 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ 1
෩ 𝑹 𝑧, 𝑡 = − 𝐸෨0𝑅 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘1𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
𝑩 ෝ
𝑣1
At 0< z<d, 𝑧
1 1
0 d
෩ 𝒊 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑖 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ ෩𝒊
𝑩 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑖 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
ෝ 2 3
𝑣2
෩ 𝒓 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑟 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
ෝ 𝑦
𝑬 1
෩𝒓
𝑩 𝑧, 𝑡 = − 𝐸෨0𝑟 𝑒 𝑖(−𝑘2𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚 ෝ
𝑣2
At z>d,
1
෩ 𝑻 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘3𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒙
𝑬 ෝ ෩ 𝑻 𝑧, 𝑡 =
𝑩 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖(𝑘3𝑧−𝜔𝑡) 𝒚
ෝ
𝑣3
|| || || ||
Now at each boundary, applicable boundary conditions are, i) 𝑬𝟏 = 𝑬𝟐 & 𝑖𝑖) 𝑩𝟏 = 𝑩𝟐 [Assuming 𝜇1 = 𝜇2 = 𝜇0 ]

At z = 0,
𝐸෨0𝐼 + 𝐸෨0𝑅 = 𝐸෨0𝑖 + 𝐸෨0𝑟 … … … … … … … . . (1)
1 1 1 1 𝑣1
𝐸0𝐼 − 𝐸0𝑅 = 𝐸0𝑖 − 𝐸෨0𝑟
෨ ෨ ෨ ⇒ 𝐸෨0𝐼 − 𝐸෨0𝑅 = 𝛽 𝐸෨0𝑖 − 𝐸෨0𝑟 … … . (2) Here, 𝛽 =
𝑣1 𝑣1 𝑣2 𝑣2 𝑣2
At z = d,
𝐸෨0𝑖 𝑒 𝑖𝑘2 𝑑 + 𝐸෨0𝑟 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘2𝑑 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖𝑘3𝑑 … … … 𝑒𝑞(3)
1 1 1 𝑣2
𝐸෨0𝑖 𝑒 𝑖𝑘2 𝑑 − 𝐸෨0𝑟 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘2𝑑 = 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖𝑘3 𝑑 ⇒ 𝐸෨0𝑖 𝑒 𝑖𝑘2𝑑 − 𝐸෨0𝑟 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘2 𝑑 = 𝛼𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖𝑘3𝑑 … … 𝑒𝑞(4) Here, α =
𝑣2 𝑣2 𝑣3 𝑣3

Using these four equation

2𝐸෨0𝐼 = 1 + 𝛽 𝐸෨0𝑖 + 1 − 𝛽 𝐸෨0𝑟 … … … … … … . 𝑒𝑞(5)
2𝐸෨0𝑖 𝑒 𝑖𝑘2𝑑 = 1 + 𝛼 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖𝑘3 𝑑 … … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞(6)
2𝐸෨0𝑟 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘2 𝑑 = 1 − 𝛼 𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖𝑘3𝑑 … … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞(7)
⇒ 4𝐸෨0𝐼 = 2 1 + 𝛼𝛽 cos(𝑘2 𝑑 − 𝑖 𝛼 + 𝛽 sin(𝑘2 𝑑)]𝐸෨0𝑇 𝑒 𝑖𝑘3𝑑
2
𝑣3 𝜖3 𝐸0𝑇 𝑣3 𝜇0 𝜖3 |𝐸෨ 0𝑇 |2 𝑣1 |𝐸෨ 0𝑇 |2 |𝐸෨ 0𝑇 |2
So the transmission coefficient, 𝑇 = 2 = = = 𝛼𝛽 ෨ 2
𝑣1 𝜖1 𝐸0𝐼 𝑣1 𝜇0 𝜖1 |𝐸෨ 0𝐼 |2 𝑣3 |𝐸෨ 0𝐼 |2 |𝐸0𝐼 |
1 |𝐸෨0𝐼 |2 1 2
𝑇 −1= = [ 1 + 𝛼𝛽 cos 𝑘 2 𝑑 − 𝑖(𝛼 + 𝛽) sin 𝑘 2 𝑑 ]𝑒 𝑖𝑘3 𝑑
So, 𝛼𝛽 |𝐸෨0𝑇 |2 4𝛼𝛽
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑛3 𝑛2
𝐵𝑢𝑡, 𝑛1 = 𝑆𝑜, 𝛼 = , 𝛽 =
𝑣1 , 𝑛2 = 𝑣2 , 𝑛3 =
𝑣 𝑛2 𝑛1
3

1 (𝑛1 2 − 𝑛2 2 )(𝑛3 2 − 𝑛2 2 ) 2 𝑛2 𝜔𝑑
𝑇 −1 = 2
(𝑛1 + 𝑛3 ) + sin
4𝑛1 𝑛3 𝑛2 2 𝑐
Problem 8: (a) Consider a plane wave polarized in x-direction and propagating in z-direction in free space with its
electric field profile, 𝐸 = 1 × 104 𝑐𝑜𝑠 107 𝑧 − 1015 𝑡 𝑥ො . Find out the average poynting vector, associated
electromagnetic density and momentum density.

(b) Show that the standing wave f (z, t) = 𝐴 sin(kz) cos(kvt) satisfies the wave equation, and express it as the sum of a
wave traveling to the left and a wave traveling to the right having the same frequency.
Ans. (a)
𝑬 = 1 × 104 𝑐𝑜𝑠 107 𝑧 − 1015 𝑡 𝑥ො = 𝐸𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐾𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡 𝒙
ෝ

1
In free space - 𝑩= × 104 𝑐𝑜𝑠 107 𝑧 − 1015 𝑡 𝒚
ෝ
𝑐
𝑬×𝑩
Poynting vector- 𝑺=
𝜇0

⇒ 𝑺 = c𝜖0 × 108 × 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 107 𝑧 − 1015 𝑡 𝒛ො

Average Poynting vector (Intensity) -

1
⇒ 𝑺 = 𝐼 = c𝜖0 × 108 ×
2
⇒ 𝐼 = 1.33 × 105 W/m2

Average energy density -

𝑺
𝑢 =
𝑐

⇒ 𝑢 = 4.43 × 10−4 N/m2

Average momentum density - 𝑢
𝒈 =
𝑐

⇒ 𝒈 = 1.47 × 10−12 N.Sec/m3

(b)
Standing wave - f (z, t) = 𝐴 sin(kz) cos(kvt) ……………….eq(1)

equation (1) differentiate with respect to z and t

⇒ 𝜕 2 f (z, t) 1 𝜕 2 f (z, t)
= 2
𝜕𝑧 2 𝑣 𝜕𝑡 2
𝐴
Now, f (z, t) = 2 2sin(kz) cos(kvt)

2𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 − 𝐵

𝐴
⇒ f (z, t) = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘 𝑧 + 𝑣𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘 𝑧 − 𝑣𝑡

i.e. standing wave is the sum of wave travelling to left and the right
Problem 9: (a) Calculate the (time-averaged) energy density of an electromagnetic plane wave in a conducting
medium. Show that the magnetic contribution always dominates.

𝑘
(b) Show that the intensity is 𝐸02 𝑒 −2𝜅𝑧 . Here, k and 𝜅 are the real and imaginary wave numbers, w is the
2𝜇𝜔

frequency, μ is the permeability of the medium and 𝐸0 is the amplitude of the electric field.
Ans.(a)
The electric and magnetic field in a conducting medium-

𝑬 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸0 𝑒 −𝜅𝑧 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑘𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿𝐸 𝒙
ෝ

𝑩 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐵0 𝑒 −𝜅𝑧 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑘𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿𝐸 + 𝜙 𝒚
ෝ

1 2 𝐵2
Energy density 𝑢= 𝜖𝐸 +
2 2𝜇

Now, averaging over a complete cycle-

1 2 −2𝜅𝑧 1 𝐵02 −2𝜅𝑧 1

⇒ 𝑢 = 𝜖𝐸0 𝑒 × + 𝑒 ×
2 2 2𝜇 2
1 −2𝜅𝑧 2
𝐵02
⇒ 𝑢 = 𝑒 𝜖𝐸0 +
4 𝜇

𝐵0 𝜎 2
In conducting medium-
= 𝜇𝜖 1 +
𝐸0 𝜔𝜖

1 𝜎 2
⇒ 𝑢 = 𝜖𝐸02 𝑒 −2𝜅𝑧 1 + 1 + ……………eq(1)
4 𝜔𝜖
 1/2
𝜀𝜇 𝜎 2
Since, 𝑘 = ω 1+ +1 real wave number
2 𝜔𝜖

𝜎 2 2𝑘 2
So, 1+ 1+ =
𝜔𝜖 𝜇𝜖𝜔 2

Put the value in equation(1)

𝑘2
⇒ 𝑢 = 𝐸02 𝑒 −2𝜅𝑧
2𝜇𝜔2

Now, the ratio of the magnetic and electric density-

𝐵02
Since, 𝑢𝑚 𝜇
=
𝑢𝑒 𝜖𝐸02

𝑢𝑚 𝜎 2
⇒ = 1+ >1
𝑢𝑒 𝜔𝜖 i.e., magnetic contribution dominates.
(b) 𝑬×𝑩
Poynting vector 𝑺=
𝜇

𝐸0 𝐵0 −2𝜅𝑧
⇒ 𝑺= 𝑒 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑘𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿𝐸 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑘𝑧 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿𝐸 + 𝜙 𝒛ො
2𝜇

𝐸0 𝐵0 −2𝜅𝑧 1 𝑇
Now, 𝑺 = 𝑒 න 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑘𝑧 − 2𝜔𝑡 + 2𝛿𝐸 + 𝜙 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜙 𝑑𝑡
2𝜇 𝑇 0

𝐸0 𝐵0 −2𝜅𝑧
⇒ 𝑺 = 𝑒 × cos𝜙
2𝜇
Since, 𝐵0 𝑘෨ K
= = Here, 𝑘෨ = K𝑒 𝑖𝜙 = Kcos𝜙 + 𝑖Ksin𝜙 = 𝑘 + 𝑖𝜅
𝐸0 𝜔 𝜔
𝐸0 K𝐸0 −2𝜅𝑧 K = 𝑘෨ = 𝑘2 + 𝜅2
⇒ 𝑺 = × 𝑒 × cos𝜙
2𝜇 𝜔
𝐸02 −2𝜅𝑧
⇒ 𝑺 = 𝑒 × Kcos𝜙
2𝜇𝜔

⇒ 𝑘
𝑺 = 𝐸02 𝑒 −2𝜅𝑧
2𝜇𝜔
Problem 10: (a) In the complex notation there is a clever device for finding the time average of a product. Suppose
𝑓(𝐫, 𝑡) = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝐤. 𝐫 – 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿𝑎 ) and 𝑔(𝐫, 𝑡) = 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝐤. 𝐫 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿𝑏 ). Show that ⟨𝑓𝑔⟩ = (1/2) Re( 𝑓ሚ𝑔෤ ∗ ), where
the star denotes complex conjugation.

(b) Suppose 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑎𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 𝑖𝑏𝑥 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑖𝑐𝑥 , for some nonzero constants 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, and for all x. Prove that 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑐
and 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝐶.
Ans:
(a) 𝑓 (𝑟, 𝑡) = A cos (𝑘. 𝑟Ԧ – ωt + δa) 𝑔 (𝑟, 𝑡) = B cos (𝑘. 𝑟Ԧ − ωt + δb)

In complex notation,
𝑓ሚ = 𝐴 𝑒 𝑖 𝑘.𝑟Ԧ – ωt + δa = 𝐴෩ 𝑒 𝑖 𝑘.𝑟Ԧ – ωt Here, 𝐴෩ = 𝐴𝑒 𝑖δa

𝑔෤ = 𝐵 𝑒 𝑖 𝑘.𝑟Ԧ – ωt + δa = 𝐵෩ 𝑒 𝑖 𝑘.𝑟Ԧ – ωt 𝐵෩ = 𝐵 𝑒 𝑖δb

1 𝑇
Since, 𝑓𝑔 = 𝑇 ‫׬‬0 A cos (𝑘. 𝑟Ԧ – ωt + 𝛿𝑎 ).B cos (𝑘. 𝑟Ԧ − ωt +𝛿𝑏 ) dt

𝐴𝐵
⇒ 𝑓𝑔 = cos (𝛿𝑎 − 𝛿𝑏 )
2

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 1 ሚ ∗
𝑓𝑔෤
1
= 2 𝐴෩ 𝑒 𝑖 𝑘.𝑟Ԧ – ωt . 𝐵෨ ∗ 𝑒 −𝑖 𝑘.𝑟Ԧ – ωt
2

= 2 𝐴ሚ 𝐵෨ ∗ = 2 𝐴𝐵𝑒 𝑖(𝛿𝑎 −𝛿𝑏 )

1 ሚ ∗ 1 1
⇒ 𝑓 𝑔෤
2

1 1
Since, Re (2 𝑓ሚ𝑔෤ ∗ ) = 2 AB cos (𝛿𝑎 − 𝛿𝑏 ) = 𝑓𝑔
(b) 𝐴𝑒𝑖𝑎𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑏𝑥 = 𝐶𝑒𝑖𝑐𝑥 … … . . 𝑒𝑞 (1)

Put 𝑥 = 0
⇒ 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝐶 … … . . 𝑒𝑞 (2)

Taking first derivative of eq (1) -

⇒ 𝑎𝐴 + 𝑏𝐵 = 𝑐𝐶 put x = 0 … … . . 𝑒𝑞 (3)

Taking second derivative of eq (1) -

⇒ 𝑎2A + 𝑏2 B = 𝑐 2 C put x = 0

Put the value in above equation from eq(3)

⇒ 𝑎2 𝐴 + 𝑏2 𝐵 = c (𝑎𝐴 + 𝑏𝐵 )
⇒ 𝐴 + 𝐵 . (𝑎2 A + 𝑏2 𝐵) = c (𝑎𝐴 + 𝑏𝐵 ). 𝐴 + 𝐵
Put the value in above equation from eq(2)

⇒ 𝐴 + 𝐵 . (𝑎2 𝐴 + 𝑏2 𝐵) = cC (𝑎𝐴 + 𝑏𝐵 )
⇒ 𝑏2 𝐴𝐵 + 𝑎2 𝐴𝐵 = 2𝑎𝑏𝐴𝐵
⇒ 𝐴𝐵 𝑎 − 𝑏 2
=0
 Since 𝐴 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 ≠ 0
2 … … . . 𝑒𝑞 (4)
⇒ 𝑎−𝑏 =0 𝑆𝑜, ⇒ 𝑎=𝑏

Now, 𝑎 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑐𝐶
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞 (3)
⇒ (𝑎 − 𝑐) 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 0 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞 (2)
Since 𝐴 + 𝐵 ≠ 0

⇒ (𝑎 − 𝑐) = 0 𝑆𝑜, ⇒ 𝑎=𝑐 … … . . 𝑒𝑞 (5)

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑎=𝑏=𝑐 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝐴+𝐵 =𝐶