Electromagnetic waves

1. A charged particle oscillates about its mean equilibrium position with a frequency of 109 Hz. The
frequency of the electromagnetic wave produced by the oscillator is
1] 10 Hz 2] 105 Hz 3] 109 Hz 4] 1010 Hz
Ans: 3] The frequency of Electromagnetic Waves produced by the oscillator is equal to the
frequency of the oscillating particle i.e., 109 Hz.
2. According to Maxwell’s hypothesis, changing electric field gives rise to
1] Magnetic field 2] Pressure gradient 3] Charge 4] Voltage
Ans: 1] From Maxwell’s Electromagnetic theory, the Electromagnetic Wave propagation contains
electric and magnetic fields vibrating perpendicularly to each other. Hence, changing of electric
field gives rise to magnetic field.
3. The electric field of a plane electromagnetic waves varies with time of amplitude 2 Vm -1
propagating along z-axis. The average energy density of the magnetic field is (in Jm -3)
1] 13.29 × 10-12 2] 8.86 × 10-12 3] 17.71 × 10-12 4] 4.43 × 10-12
1 1
Ans: 3] Average U = 𝜖0 𝐸 2 = × 8.85 × 10-12 × (2)2 = 17.71 × 10-12 Jm-3
2 2
4. The amplitude of the magnetic field part of a harmonic Electromagnetic Waves in vacuum is B0 =
510 nT. What is the amplitude of the electric field part of the wave?
1] 140 N C-1 2] 153 N C-1 3] 163 N C-1 4] 133 N C-1
𝐸
Ans: 2] For an EM wave, 𝐵0 = 𝑐 or 𝐸0 = 𝑐𝐵0 = 3 × 108 × 510 × 10-9 NC-1 = 153 N C-1
0
5. The magnetic field of an electromagnetic wave is given by BY=(3×10-7T)sin(103𝒙+6.29×1012𝒕)
where 𝒙, 𝒕 are in S.I. units. The wavelength of the electromagnetic wave is
1] 6.28 cm 2] 3.14 cm 3] 0.63 cm 4] 0.32 cm
-7 3 12
Ans: 3] Given BY=(3×10 T)sin(10 𝑥+6.29×10 𝑡) comparing with the general equation
2𝜋 2𝜋
BY = B0sin(𝑘𝑥 + 𝜔𝑡) we get, 𝑘=103 m-1 , or =103 m-1 ⇒ ⅄ = 103 m = 6.28 × 10-3 m = 0.63 cm
⅄
6. A parallel plate capacitor is charged to 60 𝝁C. Due to a radioactive source, the loss of charge on
the plate at the rate of 1.8 × 10-8 Cs-1. The magnitude of displacement current is
1] 1.8 × 10-8 Cs-1 2] 3.6 × 10-8 Cs-1 3] 4.1 × 10-11 Cs-1 4] 5.7 × 10-12 Cs-1
𝑑𝑞
Ans: 1] Displacement current is given by 𝐼𝑑 = 𝑑𝑡 = 1.8 × 10-8 Cs -1
7. A plane Electromagnetic Wave of frequency 30 MHz travels in free space along the 𝒙-direction.
The electric field component of the wave at a particular point of space and time E=6 Vm -1 along 𝒚-
direction. Its magnetic field component B at this point would be
1] 2 × 10-8 T along 𝑧-direction 2] 6 × 10-8 T along 𝑥-direction
3] 2 × 10-8 T along 𝑦-direction 4] 6 × 10-8 T along 𝑧-direction
Ans: 1] The frequency of Electromagnetic Wave along 𝑦-direction V=30 MHz
The electric field component of the wave along 𝑦-direction. E=6 Vm-1

In electromagnetic, the ratio of the amplitudes of electric and magnetic field is always constant and
𝐸 𝐸 6
it is equal to velocity of the Electromagnetic Waves. ie. 𝐵 = 𝑐 or 𝐵= 𝑐 = 3 × 108 or 𝐵 = 2 × 10-8 T
8. An Electromagnetic Wave of frequency 𝒗=3.0 MHz passes from vacuum into a dielectric medium
with permittivity 𝝐 = 4.0. Then
1] Wavelength is doubled and the frequency remains unchanged
2] Wavelength is doubled and the frequency becomes half
3] Wavelength is halved and frequency remains unchanged
4] Wavelength and the frequency both become unchanged
𝜀
Ans: 3] In vacuum, 𝜀0 =1 in medium, 𝜀=4 so, refractive index 𝜇=(√𝜀 )=2
0
⋌ ⋌ 𝑐 𝑐
So wavelength ⋌’=𝜇 = 2 and wave velocity 𝑣=𝜇=2
Hence, it is clear that wavelength and velocity will become half but frequency remains unchanged
when the wave is passing through any medium.
9. The phase velocity (𝒗𝒑 ) of travelling wave is
𝜔 𝑑𝜔 𝐶
1] 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑘 2] 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑑𝑘 3] 𝑣𝑝 = C 4] 𝑣𝑝 =𝑣
𝑔

Ans: 1] The phase velocity of a wave is rate at which the phase of the wave propagates in space.
This is the speed at which the phase of any one frequency component of the wave travels. For such
a component, any given phase of the wave will appear to travel at the phase velocity. It is given in
𝜔
terms of wave’s angular velocity 𝜔 and wave number 𝑘 by 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑘 .
10. The magnetic field between the plate of a capacitor where 𝒓>𝑹 is given by (where 𝒓 is the
distance from the axis of plates and 𝑹 is the radius of each plate of capacitor)
𝜇0 𝑖𝐷𝑟 𝜇0 𝑖𝐷 𝜇0 𝑖𝐷
1] 2] 3] 4] Zero
2𝜋𝑅2 2𝜋𝑅 2𝜋𝑟
⃗⃗⃗ = 𝜇0 𝑖𝐷 or 𝐵2𝜋𝑟 = 𝜇0 𝑖𝐷 or 𝐵=𝜇0𝑖𝐷
⃗ .𝑑𝑙
Ans: 3] Using Ampere’s circuital law, ∮ 𝐵 2𝜋𝑟
11. If 𝝐𝟎 and 𝝁𝟎 represent the permittivity and permeability of vacuum and 𝝐 and 𝝁 represent the
permittivity and permeability of medium, then refractive index of the medium is given by
𝜇0𝜖0 𝜇𝜖 𝜇 𝜇0𝜖0
1] √ 2] √𝜇 3] √𝜇 4] √
𝜇𝜖 0𝜖0 0𝜖0 𝜇

𝑐 𝜇𝜖
Ans: 2] Refractive index, 𝑣 = √𝜇
0𝜖0

12. Which of the following has zero average value in a plane electromagnetic wave?
1] Kinetic energy 2] Magnetic field 3] Electric field 4] Both 2 and 3
Ans: 4] In electromagnetic wave, the average value of electric filed or magnetic field is zero.
13. If a free electron is placed in the path of a plane electromagnetic wave, it will start moving along
1] along the propagation of the wave
2] in a plane containing the magnetic field and the direction of propagation of wave
3] Magnetic field 4] Electric field
Ans: 4] The electron will experience a Coulomb force and would start moving along the electric
field. It will also experience a force due to the magnetic field that would cause instantaneous drifts
along the direction of propagation even. But this force would change its direction as the direction of
the electron itself changes. But starting from rest, an electron will have along the direction of
electric field.
14. The energy of X-ray photon is 3.3 × 10-16 J. Its frequency is
1] 2 × 1019 Hz 2] 5 × 1018 Hz 3] 5 × 1017 Hz 4] 5 × 1016 Hz
𝐸 3.3×10−16
Ans: 3] From Planck’s Einstein’s relation Frequency, 𝑣=ℎ =6.626×10−34 = 4.9 × 1017 ≈ 5 × 1017 Hz
15. An earth obtaining satellite has solar energy collecting panel with total area 5 m2. If solar
radiations are perpendicular and completely absorbed, the average force associated with the
radiation pressure is (Solar constant = 1.4 kW m-2)
 1] 2.33 × 10-3 N 2] 2.33 × 10-4 N 3] 2.33 × 10-5 N 4] 2.33 × 10-6 N
𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 1.4×103 ×5
Ans: 3] power = 𝐼 × area = (1.4 × 103) × 5 Force, F= = =2.33 × 10-5 N
𝑐 3×108
16. In an electromagnetic wave, the electric and magnetizing fields are 100 Vm -1 and 0.265 Am-1 . The
maximum energy flow is
1] 26.5 Wm-2 2] 36.5 Wm-2 3] 46.7 Wm-2 4] 765 Wm-2
Ans: 1] Here, amplitude of electric filed, E0=100 Vm-1, amplitude of magnetic field, B0=0.265 Am-1.
We know that the maximum rate of energy flow S= E0 × B0=100 × 0.265 = 26.5 Wm-2
17. If a source is transmitting an electromagnetic wave of frequency 8.2 × 106 Hz, then the
wavelength of the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the source will be
1] 36.6 m 2] 40.5 m 3] 42.3 m 4] 50.9 m
𝑐 3×108
Ans: 1] Here, ⋌=𝑣=8.2×106 =36.6 m
18. Generally, the voltage applied across an X-ray tube is nearly equal to
1] 10 V 2] 100 V 3] 1000 V 4] 10000 V
Ans: 4] The approximate range of frequency for X rays is: 𝑣=2×10 Hz to the order of 1021 Hz.
18

The energy possessed by this X-ray photon is E=ℎ𝑣=1.3 × 10-15 J

Increasing the high voltage potential difference between the anode and the cathode increases the
velocity of the electrons striking the anode, and this increases the energy of the emitted X-rays.
This energy is the energy gained by an electron accelerated by a potential V. eV=E
𝐸 1.3×10−15
V= 𝑒 =1.6×10−19=8125 V so, applied voltage lies between ≈ 8 kV to the order of 106 V
Applied across the cathode and anode to accelerate the electrons is called tube voltage.
19. The atmosphere above the height of 80 km is called
1] Stratosphere 2] Troposphere 3] Mesosphere 4] Ionosphere
Ans: 4] The earth’s atmosphere above the height of 80 km upto 400 km is called lonosphere
20. In a plane electromagnetic wave, electric field varies with time having an amplitude 1 Vm -1. The
frequency of wave is 0.5 × 1015 Hz. The wave is propagation along X-axis. What is the average
energy density of magnetic field?
1] 1.1 × 10-12 Jm-3 2] 2.2 × 10-12 Jm-3 3] 3.3 × 10-12 Jm-3 4] 4.4 × 10-12 Jm-3
Ans: 2] In an electromagnetic wave, the average energy density of magnetic field 𝜇𝐵 =average
1 1
energy density of electric filed 𝑢𝐸 =4 𝜀0 𝐸02 = × (8.85 × 10-12) × 12 = 2.2 × 10-12 Jm-3
4
21. A large parallel plate capacitor, whose plates have an area of 1 m2 and are separated from each
other by 1 mm, is being charged at a rate of 25 Vs -1. If the dielectric between the plates has the
dielectric constant 10, then the displacement current at this instant is
1] 25 𝜇A 2] 11 𝜇A 3] 2.2 𝜇A 4] 1.1 𝜇A
𝜀0𝐾𝐴 (8.85×10−12 )×10×1 𝑑 𝑑𝑉
Ans: 3] C = = = 8.85 × 10-8 F 𝑖=𝑑𝑡 (CV)=C 𝑑𝑡 =8.85×10-8×25=2.2×10-6 A
𝑑 10−3
22. If an electromagnetic wave is propagating in a medium of permittivity 𝝐, and permittivity 𝝁, then
𝝁
√ 𝝐 is the
1] Intrinsic independence of the medium 2] Square of the refractive index of the medium
3] Refractive index of the medium 4] Energy density of the medium
Ans: 1] The intrinsic impedance is a measure of the ratio of the electric field to the magnetic field.
𝜇
Also, equal to √ 𝜖
23. Instantaneous displacement current of 1.0 A in the space between the parallel plate capacitor of
1 𝝁F can be established by changing the potential of
1] 10-6 V s-1 2] 106 V s -1 3] 1 V s-1 4] 0.1 V s-1
 𝑄 𝐶𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 𝑖𝐷 1.0
Ans: 2] 𝑡 = or 𝑖𝐷 = C( 𝑡 ) or 𝑡 = = 10−6 Vs-1 = 106 V s -1
𝑡 𝐶

24. The following constituent radiations of electromagnetic spectrum and their use is mentioned
below
(i) Produce intense heating effect
(ii) Is absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere-ultraviolet radiation
(iii) Is used for studying crystal structure X-rays
How many of them are correct?
1] One 2] Two 3] Three 4] None
Ans: 3] (i) Infra-red waves: These are used in green houses to keep the plants warm.
(ii) Ultraviolet radiations: These are used in food preservation.
(iii) X-rays: These are used in medical diagnosis
25. The radio waves of frequency 30 NHz to 300 MHz belong to
1] High frequency band 2] Very high frequency band
3] Ultra high frequency band 4] Super high frequency band
Ans: 2] In general, the Radio spectrum is divided into nine bands. They are:
1. Extremely Low frequency (<3 KHz) 2. Very Low frequency (3 – 30 KHz)
3. Low frequency (30 – 300 KHz) 4. Medium frequency (300 KHz – 3 MHz)
5. High frequency (3 – 30 MHz) 6. Very High frequency (30 – 300 MHz)
7. Ultra High frequency (300 MHz – 3 GHz) 8. Super High frequency (3 GHz – 30 GHz)
9. Extremely High frequency (30 GHz – 300 GHz)
Therefore, the Radio waves of frequency 30 MHz to 300 MHz belong to the Very high frequency
band.
26. A book can be read if it is placed at a distance of 50 cm from a source of 1 cd. At what distance
should the book placed it the source is of 16 cd?
1] 8 m 2] 4 m 3] 2 m 4] 1 m
𝐼
Ans: 3] As luminance E = 𝑅2 Here, I is luminous intensity R is the distance of object from source
Since source is same, therefore, illuminance E will be same in both the cases.
𝐼 1 16
E=𝑅2 = 502 = 𝑑2 or 𝑑 2 = (50)2 × 16 or d=50 × 4 cm = 200 cm = 2m
27. Intensity of radiation at surface of sun is 108 Wm-2. RMS value of magnetic induction is
1] 10-2 T 2] 10-4 T 3] 1 T 4] 10 T
𝐵2 2𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼 4𝜋×10−7 ×108
Ans: 2] I = 2𝜇0 × C 𝐵0 =√ = Brms = √ =√ = 10-4 T
0 𝐶 𝐶 3×108
28. An electromagnetic wave going through vacuum is described by E = E 0sin(𝒌𝒙 − 𝝎𝒕). Which of the
following is independent of the wavelength?
𝑘
1] 𝑘 2] 𝜔 3] 𝜔 4] 𝑘𝜔
Ans: 3] The equation of an electromagnetic waves propagating in the positive x-axis is given by,
2𝜋
E = E0sin(𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡), where k is known as propagation constant and is given by, 𝑘= ⋌ and 𝜔 is the
2𝜋𝑐 𝑘 𝜔 𝑘 1
angular frequency and is given by, 𝜔 = hence, 2𝜋 = 2𝜋𝑐 ⇒ 𝜔 = 𝑐
⋌
Therefore, no wavelength is associated with any term in the above equation.
29. A plane electromagnetic wave is incident on a material surface. The wave delivers momentum 𝒑
and energy 𝑬.
1] 𝑝 = 0, 𝐸 ≠ 0 2] 𝑝 ≠ 0, 𝐸 = 0 3] 𝑝 ≠ 0, 𝐸 ≠ 0 4] 𝑝 = 0, 𝐸 = 0
Ans: 3] According to the particle theory of light, light is composed of particles known as the photon.
ℎ𝑐 ℎ
The energy of each photon is E=ℎ𝑣 = and the momentum of each photon is 𝑝= ,
⋌ ⋌
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50.
If 𝒏𝑹 and 𝒏𝑽 denote the number of photons emitted by
45. a red bulb and violet bulb of equal power in a given
time, then