ROEVER ENGINEERING COLLEGE

Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai

Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
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DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

EE3301- ELECTRO MAGNETIC FIELDS
PART-A QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
UNIT I ELECTROSTATICS – I
1. Define scalar field?
A field is a system in which a particular physical function has a value at each and every point
in that region. The distribution of a scalar quantity with a defined position in a space is called
scalar field.
Ex: Temperature of atmosphere.

2. Define Vector field?

If a quantity which is specified in a region to define a field is a vector then the
corresponding field is called vector field.

3. Define scaling of a vector?

This is nothing but, multiplication of a scalar with a vector. Such a multiplication
changes the magnitude of a vector but not the direction.

4. What are co-planar vector?

The vectors which lie in the same plane are called co-planar vectors.

5. What is a unit vector? What is its function while representing a vector?

A unit vector has a function to indicate the direction. Its magnitude is always unity, irrespective
of the direction which it indicates and the coordinate system under consideration.

6. Name 3 coordinate systems used in electromagnetic engineering?

1) Cartesian or rectangular coordinate system.
2) Cylindrical coordinate system.
3) Spherical coordinate system.

7. What are differential elements in Cartesian system?

8.What are the differential elements in cylindrical system?

dr-differential length in r direction
rdθ -differential length in θ direction
dz-differential length in z direction
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

9. What are the differential elements in spherical coordinate system?

10. Give the types of charge distribution.

1. Line charge
2. Point charge
3. Surface charge
4. Volume charge.

11. Define point charge.

A point charge means that electric charge which is separated on a surface or space
whose geometrical dimensions are very very small compared to other dimensions, in
which the effect of electric field to be studied.

12. Define one coulomb.

One coulomb of charge is defined as the charge possessed by (1/1.602x10-9) i.e
6x1018 number of electrons.

13. State Coulomb’s law.

The coulomb’s law states that force between the two point charges Q1 and Q2
i) Acts along the line joining the two point charges
ii) is directly proportional to the product of the charges
iii) is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

14. Define surface and volume charge density.

15. Define electric field intensity at a point.

The electric field intensity is defined as force exerted per unit charge.

Where p-position of any other charge around Q1

 ROEVER ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

16. State Stoke Theorem.

The line integral of F around a closed path L is equal to the integral of curl of F over the open
surface S enclosed by the closed path L.Mathematically it is expressed as

17. What is an electric flux?

The total number of lines of force in any particular electric field is called electric flux. It is
represented by the symbolψ . Similar to the charge, unit of electric flux is also Coulomb.

18. Define electric flux density.

The net flux passing normal through the unit surface area is called electric flux
density. It has a specified direction which is normal to the surface area under consideration
hence it is a vector field.

19. State the application of Gauss’s law.

1) The Gauss’s law can be used to find E and D for symmetrical charge distributions.
2) It is used to find the charge enclosed or the flux passing through the closed
surface.

20.Define potential difference.

Potential difference is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive charge
from one point to another point in an electric field.

21. State the Divergence theorem.

The integral of the normal component of any vector field over a closed surface is equal to the
integral of the divergence of this vector field throughout the volume enclosed by that closed
surface.

UNIT II ELECTROSTATICS – II
1. Define current density
Current density is defined as the current per unit area.
J= I/A Amp/m2

2. What is meant by displacement current?

Displacement current is nothing but the current flowing through capacitor.
J= D / t

3. State point form of ohms law.

Point form of ohms law states that the field strength within a conductor is
proportional to the current density.
J=σE
4. Write the point form of continuity equation and explain its significance.

Ñ·J= - ρv / t
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

5. Write the expression for energy density in electrostatic field.

W=1 / 2 εE2

6. Write the boundary conditions at the interface between two perfect dielectrics.

i) The tangential component of electric field is continuous Et1=Et2

ii) The normal component of electric flux density is continuous Dn1=Dn2

7. What are Dielectrics?

Dielectrics are materials that may not conduct electricity through it but on applying electric
field induced charges are produced on its faces .The valence electron in atoms of a dielectric
are tightly bound to their nucleus.

8. What is a capacitor?
A capacitor is an electrical device composed of two conductors which are separated through a
dielectric medium and which can store equal and opposite charges independent of whether
other conductors in the system are charged or not.

9. What are the factors does the capacitance depends on?

1. The permittivity of the dielectric used.
2. The area of cross section of the plates.
3. The distance of separation of the plates.

10. What is meant by multiple dielectric capacitors?

The multiple dielectric capacitor is one in which the space between the plates is filled
with more than one dielectrics.

11.Define dielectric strength of a dielectric?

The minimum value of the applied electric field at which the dielectric breaks down is called
dielectric strength of that dielectric.

12.State the applications of Poisson’s equation and Laplace’s equation.

1) To obtain potential distribution over the region.
2) To obtain E in the region.
3) To check whether given region is free of charge or not.
4) To obtain the charge induced on the surface of the region.

13.Define a current and its unit Ampere.

The current is defined as the rate of flow of charge and is measured as Ampere’s (A) current
of 1 Ampere is said to be flowing across the surface when the charge of
1 coulomb is passing across the surface in 1 second.
14. What is drift velocity?
Under the effect of applied electric field, the available free electrons start moving. The moving
electrons strike the adjacent atoms and rebound in the random directions. This is called drifting
of the electrons. After sometime, the electrons attain the constant average velocity called drift
velocity.
15.What is Polarization?
The applied field E shifts the charges inside the dielectric to induce the electric
dipoles. This process is called Polarization.
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

16.What is Polarization of Dielectrics?

Polarization of dielectric means, when an electron cloud has a centre separated from the
nucleus. This forms an electric dipole. The dipole gets aligned with the applied field.

17.Write the expression for parallel plate capacitor?

C= ε0εrA/ d F

18.Write the expression for capacitance of a coaxial cable?

C = (2πεL) / ln (b/a) F

19.Write the expression for capacitance of single isolated sphere?

C= 4πεa F

20. What is the energy stored in a capacitor?

W= ½ cv2 J

21. Write the expression for spherical capacitance?

C= (4πε)/(1/a -1/b) F
22. Write the expression for isolated spherical conductor coated with dielectric?
C= 4π/(1/ε1(1/a -1/r1) + 1/ε0r1 ) F

23. Write the expression for dielectric boundary normal to plates?

C= ε1A1/d + ε2A2/d F

24. Write the expression for dielectric boundary parallel to plates?

C= A/(d1/ε1 + d2/ ε2 +…..) F

UNIT III MAGNETOSTATICS

1. State Amperes Circuital Law.
Magnetic field intensity around a closed path is equal to the current enclosed by the path.
H·dl=I

2. State Biot –Savarts law.

It states that the magnetic flux density at any point due to current element is proportional to the
current element and sine of the angle between the elemental length and inversely proportional
to the square of the distance between them.
dB=μ0Idl sinθ / 4πr2

3. Define Magnetic Vector Potential.

It is defined as that quantity whose curl gives the magnetic flux density.
B =Ñ x A
=μ / 4π J/r dv web/m2

4. Define magnetic field strength.

The magnetic field strength (H) is a vector having the same direction as magnetic flux
density.
H=B/μ
5. Write he expression for field intensity due to a toroid carrying a filamentary
current I
H=NI / 2пR
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

6. Write down the expression for magnetic field at the centre of the circular coil.

H = I/2a
7. Write down the magnetic boundary conditions.
i) The normal components of flux density B is continuous across the boundary.
ii) The tangential component of field intensity is continuous across the boundary.

8. Define Magnetic flux density.

The total magnetic lines of force i.e. magnetic flux crossing a unit area in a plane at right angles
to the direction of flux is called magnetic flux density. It is denoted as
B .Unit Wb/m2.

9. Define Magnetic field Intensity.

Magnetic Field intensity at any point in the magnetic field is defined as the force experienced
by a unit north pole of one Weber strength, when placed at that point. Unit:
N/Wb (or) AT /m.It is denoted as H.

10. What is Magnetic Field?

The region around a magnet within which influence of the magnet can be experienced is
called Magnetic Field.

11. Define scalar magnetic Potential.

The scalar magnetic potential Vm can be defined for source free region where J
i.e. current density is zero.

12. Give Gauss’s lawin differential form for magnetic fields.

The divergence of magnetic flux density is always zero.
∇.B=0.

13. State Law of conservation of Magnetic Flux.

It states that, the integral B. ds over a closed surface is always zero.

This is also called Gauss’s law in integral form for magnetic fields.

14.State Stoke’s Theorem of magnetic field.

The line integral of a vector A around a closed path L is equal to the integral of curl of A vector
over the open surface S enclosed by the closed path L.

15. Give the application of Stoke’s theorem.

The Stoke’s theorem is applicable for the open surface enclosed by the given closed path.Any
volume is a closed surface and hence application of Stoke’s theorem to a closed surface which
enclosed certain volume produces zero answer.
16. What is permeability?
In magnetostatics, the B and H are related to each other through the property of the region in
which current carrying conductor is placed. It is called permeability denoted as μ . It is the
ability with which the current carrying conductor forces the magnetic flux through the region
around it. B H= μ.

17. Write down the expression for magnetic field at the centre of the circular coil.
H = I/2a.
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

18. Give the relation between magnetic flux density and magnetic field intensity.
B =μH

19. Describe what are the sources of electric field and magnetic field?
Stationary charges produce electric field that are constant in time, hence the term
electrostatics. Moving charges produce magnetic fields hence the term magnetostatics.

20. Give any two dissimilarities between electric and magnetic circuits.
1) In electric circuit the current actually flows i.e. there is a movement of electrons whereas in
magnetic circuit, due to m.m.f, flux gets established and doesn’t flow in the sense in which
current flows.
2) The electric lines of flux are not closed. They start from positive charge and end on negative
charge and the magnetic lines of flux are closed lines.

UNIT IV ELECTRODYNAMIC FIELDS

1. What is Magnetization?
The field produced due to the movement of bound charges is called Magnetization
represented by M .

2.Define Reluctance.
Reluctance R is defined as the ratio of the magneto motive force to the total flux.
R=em/Ф
And it is measured as Ampere-turn/Weber.

3. Define Magnetic dipole moment.

The Magnetic dipole moment of a current loop is defined as the product of current through the
loop and the area of the loop, directed normal to the current loop.

4. Define self
inductance.
Self inductance is defined as the rate of total magnetic flux linkage to the current through the
coil.

5. What are Magnetic Lines of Force?

The existence of Magnetic Field can be experienced with the help of compass field. Such a
field is represented by imaginary lines around the magnet which are called Magnetic Lines of
Force.

6. Define Inductance.
In general, inductance is also referred as self inductance as the flux produced by the current
flowing through the coil links with the coil itself.

7. What is fringing effect?

If there is an air gap in between the path of the magnetic flux, it spreads and bulges out. This
effect is called fringing effect.

8. Define Mutual inductance.

The mutual inductance between the two coils is defined as the ratio of flux linkage of one coil
to the current in other coil. Thus the mutual inductance between circuit 1 and circuit 2 is
given by µ12= N2Ф12 .H / I1
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

9. Distinguish between solenoid and toroid.

Solenoid is a cylindrically shaped coil consisting of a large number of closely spaced turns of
insulated wire wound usually on a non magnetic frame. If a long slender solenoid is bent into
the form of a ring and there by closed on itself it becomes a toroid.

10. Write the expression for inductance of a toroid?

L = μN2A/(2πR) H

11. Write the expression for inductance of a solenoid?

L = μN2A/ l H
12. Write the expression for inductance of a coaxial cable?
L = μd/2π ln (b/a) H

13. State Kirchoff’s MMF law.

Kirchoff’s MMF law states that the resultant mmf around a closed magnetic circuit is equal to
the algebraic sum of products of flux and reluctance of each part of the closed circuit. For
closed magnetic circuit, ΣMMF = ΣφR.

14. What is Lorentz force equation?

Lorentz force equation relates mechanical force to the electrical force. It is given as the total
force on a moving charge in the presence of both electric and magnetic fields.

15.Define Moment of force.

The Moment of a force or torque about a specified point is defined as the vector
product of the moment arm R vector and force vector. It is measured in Nm.

16. Distinguish between solenoid and toroid.

Solenoid is a cylindrically shaped coil consisting of a large number of closely spaced turns of
insulated wire wound usually on a non magnetic frame. If a long slender solenoid is bent into
the form of a ring and there by closed on itself it
becomes a toroid.

17. Give the relation between μ and H in tangential component.

The tangential component of H are continuous, while tangential component of B are
discontinuous at the boundary, with the condition that the boundary is current free.

18.Give the relation between μ and H in normal component.

The tangential component of H are not continuous at the boundary. The field strengths in two
media are inversely proportional to their relative permeabilities.
 ROEVER ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

19. What is permeability?

In magnetostatics, the B andH are related to each other through the property of the region in
which current carrying conductor is placed. It is called permeability denoted as μ . It is the
ability with which the current carrying conductor forces the magnetic flux through the region
around it.

20. What are boundary conditions?

The conditions of the magnetic field existing at the magnetic field existing at the boundary of
the two media when the magnetic field passes from one medium to other are called boundary
conditions.

UNIT V ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

1. Define a wave.
If a physical phenomenon that occurs at one place at a given time is reproduced at
other places at later times , the time delay being proportional to the space separation
from the first location then the group of phenomena constitutes a wave.

2. Mention the properties of uniform plane wave.

i) At every point in space ,the electric field E and magnetic field H are
perpendicular to each other.
ii) The fields vary harmonically with time and at the same frequency everywhere
in space.

3.What is called as intrinsic impedance?

The ratio of amplitudes of E(electric field) and H (magnetic field) of the waves in either
direction is called intrinsic impedance of the material in which wave is travelling. It is
denoted by η .

4.Define propagation constant.

Propagation constant is a complex number
γ =α + jβ
where γ is propagation constant

5.Define Poynting vector.

The pointing vector is defined as rate of flow of energy of a wave as it propagates.
P =E X H

6. State Poyntings Theorem.

The net power flowing out of a given volume is equal to the time rate of decrease
of the the energy stored within the volume- conduction losses.

7. Give the difficulties in FDM.

FDM is difficult to apply for problems involving irregular boundaries and non
homogeneous material properties.

8. Explain the steps in finite element method.

i) Discrimination of the solution region into elements.
ii) Generation of equations for fields at each element
iii) Assembly of all elements
iv) Solution of the resulting system.
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Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Inclusion under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC act 1956
ELAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR – 621220

9. What is called skin effect?

For the frequencies in the microwave range, the skin depth or depth of penetration is very small
for good conductors and all the fields and currents may be considered as confined to a thin
layer near the surface of the conductor. This thin layer is nothing but the skin of the conductor
and hence it is called skin effect.

10. What is Normal Incidence?

When a uniform plane wave incidences normally to the boundary between the media, then it is
known as normal incidence.

11. What is called attenuation constant?

When a wave propagates in the medium, it gets attenuated. The amplitude of the signal reduces.
This is represented by attenuation constantα . It is measured in neper per meter (NP/m). But
practically it is expressed in decibel (dB).

12. What is phase constant?

When a wave propagates, phase change also takes place. Such a phase change is
expressed by a phase constantβ . It is measured in radian per meter (rad/m).

13.How voltage maxima and minima are separated?

In general voltage minima are separated by one half wavelength. Also the voltage
maxima are also separated by one half wave length.

14.What is the major drawback of finite difference method?

The major drawback of finite difference method is its inability to handle curved boundaries
accurately.

15.What is method of images?

The replacement of the actual problem with boundaries by an enlarged region or with image
charges but no boundaries is called the method of images.

16.When is method of images used?

Method of images is used in solving problems of one or more point charges in the presence of
boundary surfaces.

17. Define power density.

The power density is defined as the ratio of power to unit area. Power density=power/unit area.

18.What is the significant feature of wave propagation in an imperfect dielectric ?

The only significant feature of wave propagation in an imperfect dielectric compared to that
in a perfect dielectric is the attenuation undergone by the wave.
19. Define loss tangent.
Loss tangent is the ratio of the magnitude of conduction current density to
displacement current density of the medium.
20.Define reflection and transmission coefficients.
Reflection coefficient is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the reflected field
to that of the incident field.

21. Define transmission coefficients.

Transmission coefficient is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the
transmitted field to that of incident field.