MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

Department of Physics
Aspiring for Quality Education with Relevance
University of Swat
MPhil Physics (1st Semester)
Final-term Examination (Improvement) Fall-2025
Electrodynamics

Note: Attempt any five questions from the following. Each question carries equal Marks.
(Max: Marks 50)
Max: Time: 2 hrs.

Q1
For propagation of e.m waves in a conductor with E0 and B0 (being the real amplitudes of
electric and magnetic fields). Show that E0 and B0 are related by,
r
B0 K √  σ 2
= = ϵµ 1 + .
E0 ω ϵω
where K is the modulus of complex number k.

Solution:
Starting with Maxwell’s equations in a linear conducting medium (σ ̸= 0):

∂B
∇×E=− (1)
∂t
∂E
∇ × B = µJ + µϵ (2)
∂t
with J = σE.
Assume monochromatic waves:

E = E0 ei(kz−ωt) , B = B0 ei(kz−ωt)

From Ampère’s law in frequency domain:

σ 
∇ × B = µσE + iωµϵE = µϵω +i E
ϵω
From Faraday’s law:
∇ × E = iωB ⇒ kẑ × E0 = ωB0
Thus:
k
B0 = ẑ × E0
ω

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

From Ampère’s law:

σ 
∇ × B = −ikẑ × B0 = µϵω + i E0
ϵω
Substitute B0 :  
k σ 
−ikẑ × ẑ × E0 = µϵω + i E0
ω ϵω
Using vector identity ẑ × (ẑ × E0 ) = −E0 :

k2 σ 
i E0 = µϵω + i E0
ω ϵω
Thus:  σ
k 2 = µϵω 2 1 + i
ϵω
Let k = Keiϕ with K real (K = |k|). Then:
r
2 2

2 σ 2
K = |k | = µϵω 1+
ϵω
r
√  σ 2
K = ω µϵ 1 +
ϵω
From B0 = ωk ẑ × E0 , taking magnitudes:

|k| K
B0 = E0 = E0
ω ω
Therefore: r
B0 K √  σ 2
= = ϵµ 1 +
E0 ω ϵω

Q2
For oblique incidence, the reflection and transmission coefficients are given by the Fresnel
equations.    
α−β 2
Ẽ0r = Ẽ0i , Ẽ0t = Ẽ0i .
α+β α+β
Explain how they depend on the angle of incidence θi and the properties of the media.

Solution:
The Fresnel equations depend on polarization. In standard form:
For s-polarization (E perpendicular to plane of incidence):

n1 cos θi − n2 cos θt 2n1 cos θi

rs = , ts =
n1 cos θi + n2 cos θt n1 cos θi + n2 cos θt

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

For p-polarization (E in plane of incidence):

n2 cos θi − n1 cos θt 2n1 cos θi

rp = , tp =
n2 cos θi + n1 cos θt n2 cos θi + n1 cos θt
where n1 , n2 are refractive indices, and θt is given by Snell’s law:

n1 sin θi = n2 sin θt

Dependence on θi :

• Both r and t depend on cos θi and cos θt

• cos θt = 1 − (n1 /n2 )2 sin2 θi

p

• At normal incidence (θi = 0), cos θi = cos θt = 1

• At grazing incidence (θi → 90◦ ), reflection approaches 100%

Dependence on media properties:

• Through refractive indices n1 and n2

• Through ratio n2 /n1

• Special angles:

– Brewster’s angle: For p-polarization, rp = 0 when n2 cos θi = n1 cos θt , giving

tan θB = n2 /n1
– Critical angle: For n2 < n1 , total internal reflection occurs when θi > θc =
sin−1 (n2 /n1 )

The parameters α and β in the given equations are functions of θi , n1 , and n2 .

Q3
Explain the origin and effects of anomalous dispersion near resonance frequency ω0 , including
plots of n and α.

Solution:
For a dielectric with resonant frequency ω0 , the complex refractive index ñ = n + iκ is
given by the Lorentz model:

2
ωp2
ñ ≈ 1 + 2
ω0 − ω 2 − iγω
where ωp is the plasma frequency and γ is the damping constant.
Origin of anomalous dispersion:

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

• Near resonance (ω ≈ ω0 ), the atomic/molecular oscillators are driven near their natural
frequency

• The phase of induced polarization relative to driving field changes rapidly

• Real part of dielectric constant decreases with increasing frequency in a narrow band
near ω0

• This causes dn/dω < 0 (anomalous dispersion), as opposed to normal dispersion

(dn/dω > 0) away from resonance

Effects:

• Strong absorption near ω0 (absorption coefficient α = 2ωκ/c peaks)

• Phase velocity vp = c/n can exceed c when n < 1, but signal velocity remains ≤ c

• Group velocity vg = dω/dk can become very small (slow light) or negative in certain
regimes

• Dispersive broadening of pulses propagating through the medium

Plots:
Refractive index n(ω):
Absorption coefficient α(ω):
• Shows normal dispersion away from ω0
(n increases with ω) • Lorentzian peak centered at ω0

• Rapid decrease (anomalous dispersion) • Width determined by damping con-

in narrow region around ω0 stant γ

• n can drop below 1 just above ω0 • Maximum absorption at ω = ω0

• Returns to normal dispersion at higher • Small absorption away from resonance

frequencies

The mathematical expressions are:

ωp2 (ω02 − ω 2 )
n2 − κ 2 ≈ 1 +
(ω02 − ω 2 )2 + γ 2 ω 2

ωp2 γω
2nκ ≈ 2
(ω0 − ω 2 )2 + γ 2 ω 2
2ωκ ωp2 γω 2
α(ω) = =
c nc[(ω02 − ω 2 )2 + γ 2 ω 2 ]

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

Q4
Consider the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a waveguide with perfectly conducting
walls. The electric and magnetic fields are given by:

E(x, y, z, t) = E0 (x, y) exp[i(kz − ωt)], B(x, y, z, t) = B0 (x, y) exp[i(kz − ωt)]

Show that the waveguide modes can be classified into two types: TE (Transverse Electric)
modes and TM (Transverse Magnetic) modes. Derive the boundary conditions for each type
of mode.

Solution:
Substituting the given form into source-free Maxwell’s equations:
∂B ∂E
∇×E=− , ∇ × B = µϵ
∂t ∂t
We obtain the Helmholtz equation:

(∇2t + µϵω 2 − k 2 )E0 = 0, (∇2t + µϵω 2 − k 2 )B0 = 0

where ∇t = (∂x , ∂y ).
For perfectly conducting walls, boundary conditions are:

Etangential = 0 on walls

1. TE Modes (Transverse Electric)

Ez = 0, Bz ̸= 0
From Maxwell’s equations with Ez = 0:
i
Ex = (ω∂y Bz ) (3)
µϵω 2 − k 2
−i
Ey = (ω∂x Bz ) (4)
µϵω 2 − k 2
Boundary conditions:

• At y = 0, b: Ex = 0 ⇒ ∂y Bz = 0

• At x = 0, a: Ey = 0 ⇒ ∂x Bz = 0

Thus for TE modes: Neumann boundary condition on Bz :

∂Bz
= 0 on conducting walls
∂n

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

2. TM Modes (Transverse Magnetic)

Bz = 0, Ez ̸= 0
From Maxwell’s equations with Bz = 0:
−i
Bx = (k∂y Ez ) (5)
µϵω 2 − k 2
i
By = (k∂x Ez ) (6)
µϵω − k 2
2

Boundary condition: tangential E = 0 requires:

Ez = 0 on conducting walls

Thus for TM modes: Dirichlet boundary condition on Ez :

Ez = 0 on conducting walls

General Solution
The general solution in the waveguide can be expressed as a superposition of TE and TM
modes. Each mode is characterized by cutoff frequency:
r
c mπ 2  nπ 2
ωmn = √ +
µϵ a b

where m, n are mode indices.

Q5
Consider an oscillating electric dipole consisting of two tiny metal spheres separated by a
distance d and connected by a fine wire. The charge on the upper sphere is q(t) = q0 cos(ωt),
and the charge on the lower sphere is −q(t). In radiation zone the E and B fields are given
by,

µ0 p0 ω 2 sin θ
 
∂A
E = −∇V − =− cos[ω(t − r/c)]θ̂ (7)
∂t 4π r
µ0 p0 ω 2 sin θ
 
B=∇×A=− cos[ω(t − r/c)]ϕ̂ (8)
4πc r

Find the intensity of the radiation.

Solution:
Given:
µ0 p0 ω 2 sin θ
Eθ = − cos[ω(t − r/c)]
4π r

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

µ0 p0 ω 2 sin θ
Bϕ = − cos[ω(t − r/c)]
4πc r
where p0 = q0 d is the dipole amplitude.
The Poynting vector is:
1
S = (E × B)
µ0
In spherical coordinates:
E = Eθ θ̂, B = Bϕ ϕ̂
E × B = Eθ Bϕ (θ̂ × ϕ̂) = Eθ Bϕ r̂
Thus the radial component is:
1
Sr = Eθ Bϕ
µ0
Substituting the expressions:
1 µ0 p0 ω 2 sin θ
 
Sr = cos(ω(t − r/c)) (9)
µ0 4π r
µ0 p0 ω 2 sin θ
 
× cos(ω(t − r/c)) (10)
4πc r
µ0 p20 ω 4 sin2 θ
= cos2 [ω(t − r/c)] (11)
(4π)2 c r2
The time-averaged intensity:
1
⟨cos2 [ω(t − r/c)]⟩ =
2
Thus:
µ0 p20 ω 4 sin2 θ
I(θ) = ⟨Sr ⟩ =
32π 2 c r2

Total Radiated Power

I Z 2π Z π
P = I(θ) dA = I(θ)r2 sin θ dθ dϕ
0 0
Substituting I(θ):
Z π
µ0 p20 ω 4
P = · 2π sin3 θ dθ (12)
32π 2 c
Z π0
µ0 p20 ω 4
= · sin3 θ dθ (13)
16πc 0

Since: Z π
4
sin3 θ dθ =
0 3
We get:
µ0 p20 ω 4 4 µ0 p20 ω 4
P = · =
16πc 3 12πc
This is the Larmor formula for an oscillating electric dipole.

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

Q6
Electromagnetic wave travels more slowly through matter. Explain the given question keep-
ing in view the index of refraction.

Solution:
The speed of electromagnetic waves in a medium is given by:
c
v=
n
where n is the refractive index and c is the speed in vacuum.

Why n > 1 typically?

For most dielectrics at optical frequencies:
√ √
n = ϵr µr ≈ ϵr (since µr ≈ 1)

where ϵr > 1 due to polarization effects.

Microscopic Explanation:
1. Incident EM wave oscillates electrons in atoms/molecules
2. These accelerated charges radiate secondary waves
3. The superposition of incident and secondary waves results in a net wave
4. The phase relationship causes constructive interference in forward direction with a
phase shift
5. This phase shift effectively reduces the wavelength in the medium:
λ0
λ=
n
6. Since frequency ω remains constant, the speed reduces:
c
v = λν =
n

Mathematical Description:
From the wave equation in matter:
∂ 2E
∇2 E = µϵ
∂t2
The phase velocity is:
1 c c
vp = √ = √ =
µϵ µr ϵr n

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MPhil Physics (1st Semester) Department of Physics, University of Swat

Dispersion Relation:
ω ω c
k=n ⇒ vp = =
c k n

Exceptions and Clarifications:

• In anomalous dispersion regions near resonance, n can be < 1, giving vp > c

• However, phase velocity > c does not violate causality

• Signal velocity (group velocity for pulse propagation) is always ≤ c

• In most transparent media away from resonances, n > 1 ⇒ v < c

Physical Interpretation:
The wave appears slower because:

1. The electric field polarizes the medium

2. Polarization creates additional fields The total field propagates with modified phase
velocity

3. Energy transfer occurs at group velocity, which is typically < c in normal dispersion

Thus, electromagnetic waves travel more slowly through matter due to the refractive
index n > 1, which arises from the dielectric response of the material to the oscillating fields.

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