8 Electromagnetic Waves

CHAPTER

Level - 1 CORE SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs) (1 Mark)

1. Option (B) is correct. pacitor, there is a displacement current (ID) produced

between the plates of capacitor due to the changing
2. Option (A) is correct.
electric field. This displacement current is given by

Explanation: Since, the displacement current is pro-
duced by time varying electric field. Therefore, the dφ E
ID = ε 0
displacement current will exist in the region I. dt
3. Option (D) is correct. Where, ε0 = permittivity of free space or air.

Explanation: Since, ‘0.01 nm to 10 nm wavelength wave dφ E
are called X-rays. = rate of change of electric flux.
dt
4. Option (B) is correct.
8. Option (C) is correct.

Explanation: The increasing order of frequency of the
EM Wave. Explanation: The direction of propagation of an
Radiowave < Microwave < Infrared rays < Gamma electro-magnetic wave is given by the direction of cross
   
rays. product of E and B as ( E × B).
5. Option (A) is correct. 9. Option (C) is correct.
 
Explanation: The phase difference between E and B
Explanation: Since, the shorter radio waves as micro-
in EMW is always zero. waves are suitable for radar system.
6. Option (B) is correct. 10. Option (A) is correct.

Explanation: Ultraviolet rays are used to purify water
Explanation: Since, the order of wavelength to electro-
By killing handful microorganisms like bacteria, virus magnetic waves
and parasites present in water. Gamma rays < X-rays < UV rays < Visible light < IR
7. Option (C) is correct. < Micro wave < Radio wave

Explanation: Since, in the process of charging of a ca-  increasing wavelength →

ASSERTION-REASON QUESTIONS (1 Mark)

1. Option (A) is correct. When photon is incident on a surface, its momentum

Explanation: An oscillating electric charge loses changes which gives rise to radiation pressure. So, the
energy. This is true because an accelerating or assertion and reason both are true but the reason does
oscillating charge emits electromagnetic (EM) not explain the assertion.
waves, which carry energy away from the charge. 3. Option (C) is correct.
As a result, the charge loses energy over time.
Explanation: Electromagnetic waves are not
An oscillating electric charge radiates EM waves.
mechanical waves. Hence, they do not require any
This is also true because Maxwell’s equations and
medium to travel. It does not mean that electromagnetic
classical electrodynamics state that an accelerating
charge produces electromagnetic radiation. wave cannot travel through a medium. Hence the
assertion is true. But the reason is false.
Since the emission of EM waves leads to energy
loss, the reason (R) correctly explains the assertion 4. Option (A) is correct.
(A). Explanation: Velocity of all electromagnetic waves is
2. Option (B) is correct. 3 × 108 m/s which is the velocity of light.
X-ray is an electromagnetic wave. So, it travels with
Explanation: Electromagnetic radiation is composed of
the velocity of 3 × 108 m/s which is the velocity of
h light. So, assertion and reason both are correct and
photons which has momentum   and energy (hν).
λ
reason properly explains the assertion.
 VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 Marks)

1. Induced electric field due to changing magnetic field is Difference: Displacement current is due to change in
easily observed. Induced electric field due to changing electric flux.
magnetic field can be easily produced by various ways Conduction current is due to flow of electrons.
like rotating/moving a coil in magnetic field, changing  dφ 
the shape of coil in magnetic field, bringing bar magnet ID = ε 0  E 
 dt 
near a coil etc.
2. The Infra-red waves are known as heat waves. Infrared dq
Ic =
are emitted by all hot bodies. Moreover when materials dt
are exposed to the infrared radiation they are readily 5. (1) No medium is required for their propagation.
absorbed, causing the molecules within those materials (2) Transverse in nature.

to vibrate and move more vigorously. This increased
(3) Consist of Electric and Magnetic field perpendicular

molecular motion is essentially what we experience as to each other.
heat.
(4) Energy is equally shared by electrical and magnetic
Uses: field.
1. Dehydration of fruits. (5) Travel with speed of light in vacuum. (Any two)

2. In greenhouse effect. Microwaves are used in radar systems because they
have short wavelength, which do not diffract and they
3. In remote switches. (Any two) have a unidirectional property.
3. When fast moving electrons strike a heavy target like
6. (i) X-rays
tungsten, X-rays are produced.
(1) Used as diagnostic tool in medicine.
Two uses:
1. Uses as a diagnostic tool in medicine. (2) Treatment for certain forms of cancer.
2. Treatment for certain forms of cancer. (3) To study crystal structure. (Any one)
3. To study crystal structure. (Any two) Alternatively:
4. Displacement current: It is the current that arises due Gamma rays
to the rate of change of electric field/flux. Use: Used in medicine to destroy the cancer cell.
 dφ  (ii) Microwaves:
Id = ε 0  E 
 dt 
Use: In radar system for aircraft navigation.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 Marks)

1. (i) • Gamma radiation having wavelength of 10–14 m to x

E
10 –15 m, typically originate from an atomic
nucleus. z
• X-rays are emitted from heavy atoms.
y B
• Radio waves are produced by accelerating elec-

trons in a circuit. A transmitting antenna can
most efficiently radiate waves having a wave-
N   rad 
3. E = 6.3 cos   1.5
C  m 
( )
^
y  + 4.5 × 10 8 t  i

length of about the same size as the antenna. 
(ii) (a) Ionosphere reflects waves in these bands. Or, { ( )}
^
E = 6.3 cos (1.5 y ) + 4.5 × 10 8 t i

(b) Atmosphere absorbs x-rays, while visible and

Compared with
radio waves can penetrate it.
 ^
1 E = E0 cos{ky + ωt} i
2. (i) Speed of EM waves v =
µε (i) To find the wavelength:
k = 1.5
Speed depends upon:
2π
or, = 1.5
(1) permitivity (ε) of medium λ
(2) Magnetic permeability (µ) of medium ∴ λ = 4.18 m
(ii) Accelerated charges or oscillating charges produce To find the frequency:
electromagnetic waves. c
ν=
(iii)
λ
 3 × 10 8 (i) Radio waves > 0.1 m
or, ν=
4.18 (ii) X-rays 10–7 – 10–8 m
7
∴ ν = 7.14 × 10 Hz (iii) Infrared waves 7 × 10–7 – 10–3 m
(ii) To find the amplitude of magnetic field:
5. (i) (a) Infrared waves
E0
B0 = (b) Ultraviolet rays
c
(ii) Method of production
6.3
Or, B0 = Infrared waves: Hot bodies/Vibration of atoms and
3 × 10 8 molecules.
∴ B0 = 2.1 × 10–8 T Ultraviolet Rays: Special UV lamps/Sun/Very hot
(iii) Expression of magnetic field: bodies.
Method of detection:
   rad 
B = (2.1 × 10–8)T cos   1.5
  m
y  + 4.5 × 10 8

( )t k
^
Infrared waves: Thermopiles/IR photographic film/
Bolometer.
4. Electromagnetic waves Wavelength range Ultraviolet Rays: Photocells/photographic film.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 Marks)

c 3 × 10 8  2I 
1. (i) Wavelength of the wave λ = = = 0.3m
ν 10 9 or, E0 =  cε 
0

E 50
(ii) Peak value of magnetic field B0 = 0 =
c 3 × 10 8
(2 × 2000 )

= 16.6 × 10–8 T
or, E0 =
(3 × 10 )(8.85 × 10 )
8 −12

(iii) Equation of electric field vector E ∴ E0 = 1.22 × 103 N/C

Maximum force of the static charge, FE = qEo
= E0 cos  2 π ( x − ct )
 λ  = 1 × 10–9 × 1.22 × 103 = 1.22 × 10–6 N
→ (iii) Max. magnetic force of a moving charge, FB = qvBo
E = 50 cos  2 π ( x − 3 × 10 8 t ) ˆj qvEo
 0.3  =
c
→
 2π  1 × 10 −9 × 500 × 1.22 × 10 3
and B = 16.6 × 10–8 cos  ( x − 3 × 10 8 t ) kˆ = = 2 × 10–12 N
 0.3 
3 × 10 8
Power 2 × 10 −3 FE 1.22 × 10 −6
2. (i) Intensity of the laser beam I = = (iv) = = 0.61 × 10 6 ~ 10 6
Area 10 −6 FB 2 × 10 −12
= 2000 W/m2
So the electric force exerted by the EM wave on the
1 2
(ii) Intensity I of the beam = cε0 E0 (= ½ of electric static charge is ~ 106 times the magnetic force on
2
field energy density × c) the moving charge.

ADVANCED COMPETENCY
Level - 2 FOCUSED QUESTIONS
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
1. Option (A) is correct. second = 12 joule
Concept: Electromagnetic waves transport both U 12
energy U and momentum p. Electric and magnetic Momentum generated p = =
fields carry equal amounts of energy in an em wave. c 3 × 10 8
When em waves strike a surface they exert pressure = 4 × 10–8 kg-m/s
on it, thereby transferring momentum to the surface
Force exerted on his body one second = p
upon which the em waves strike.
t
Momentum transferred to the surface is given as,
p = U/c. 4 × 10 −8
= = 4 × 10 −8 N
Explanation: Energy radiated by flashlight in 1 1
 ∆p m( v − 0) 3. Option (A) is correct
Now using F = =
∆t ∆t Explanation: Statement (a) is True because in a plane

70 × 2 electromagnetic wave, the time average of the electric
4 × 10–8 =
∆t and magnetic fields over a full cycle is zero because
70 × 2 they oscillate sinusoidally about zero. However, the
∆t = = 35 × 10 8 s average energy is not zero.
4 × 10 −8
Statement (b) is True because
2. Option (D) is correct. ,
for a wave in a vacuum or a uniform medium

Explanation:
2x k 1
λ k= and w = 2pf, So = , which
Statement I: Energy density is maximum at x = 0, , λ ν c
2
λ. is constant. So, the ratio is independent of wavelength.
The energy density is maximum where E and B are at 4. Option(D) is correct
their maximum values. Explanation :

From the sinusoidal nature, E and B are maximum at Applying right hand rule,
λ Figure I
x = 0, , λ etc.
2 
• E : Directed towards right
This statement is correct. 
Statement II: Magnitude of instantaneous intensity is • B : Directed downward
 
λ 3λ • E × B : Directed inside the plane.
minimum at x = , ⋅
4 4 Figure II

Instantaneous intensity depends on energy density, • E : Directed downward
which is minimum where E and B are both zero. 
• B : Directed towards right
From the sinusoidal pattern, E = 0 and B = 0 at  
λ 3λ • E × B : Directed out of the plane
x= , ⋅
4 4 i.e. towards me.

Hence, the magnitude of instantaneous intensity is Figure III


also minimum at these positions. • E : Directed towards left
This statement is correct. 
• B : Directed downward
Statement III: Energy density and instantaneous  
• E × B : Directed out of the plane i.e. towards me.
intensity have minimum values at positions where E
Figure IV
and B are both zero.

λ 3λ • E : Directed towards right
i.e., at x = , , energy density and intensity are 
4 4 B : Directed upward
zero.  
E × B : Directed out of the plane i.e. towards me.
This statement is correct.

ASSERTION-REASON QUESTIONS (1 Mark)

1. Option (A) is correct. break molecular bonds in the DNA and RNA of

Explanation: In electromagnetic (EM) waves, microorganisms, thereby killing or inactivating
the electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) them.
oscillate perpendicularly to each other and also 3. Option (A) is correct.
perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
Explanation: Both X-rays and gamma rays have
This is the defining property of a transverse wave. much shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies
2. Option (A) is correct. than visible light, giving them higher energy.

Explanation: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is This allows them to penetrate materials those are
commonly used for sterilisation because it has opaque to visible light, such as human tissue, paper,
short wavelengths and high energy, especially in or wood.
the UV-C range (100–280 nm). This radiation can
 VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 Marks)

1. Time for travel of sound waves between the two Equating (1) and (2) and solving for d,
2 d ≈ 1765 km
astronauts: =t ...(1)
340
2. (a) The direction of the em wave is given by the
Time for travel of em waves from the spaceship to the cross product of electric and magnetic vectors
 
d ( E × B ) . It can be determined by right hand rule.
Earth station: = t ...(2)
( 3 × 10 8 ) (b) Ey and Bx would generate an em wave along
z-direction.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 Marks)

1. (a) Since E wave is polarized along x-direction and  50   9 z 

the em wave propagates along z-direction, the B =  c  . sin  2 π × 10 .  c − t  
    
magnetic field vector has to be perpendicular to
both E wave and the direction of propagation of 2. Intensity of the signal received by the satellite =
the wave. So, B vector is aligned along y-axis and Average power
lies in y-z plane. I=
Area
(b) The standard waveforms of E and B vector in an
100 × 1000 10 −5
em wave are: = = 2
4π × (100 × 1000 )
2 4 π W/m
E = Eo sin (kz – ωt)
B = Bo sin (kz – ωt) As I = e0E2rms c

B0 = E0 = 50 T Erms =
I
c c ε0 c

2π ν 2 π × 10 9
k= = 2π = 2I 2 × 10 −5
λ c c E0 = =

ε0 c 4 π × 8.85 × 10 −12 × 3 × 10 8
 2 π × 10 9 z 
E = 50 sin  − 2 π × 10 9.t  Eo = 0.024 V/m
 c 
 
Bo = Eo/c = 0.008 × 10–8 T
 9 z 
E = 50 sin  2 π × 10 .  c − t  
  

CASE BASED QUESTIONS (4 Mark)

1 Energy (iii) (a) The frequency of the electromagnetic wave

1. (i) ε0 E2 = energy density =
2 Volume remains same when it passes from one
medium to another.
1  ML2T −2 
2   = [ ML−1T −2 ] Generally in dielectric, the relative
ε E
\  2 0  =
 L3  permeability (mr) is close to 1, so the relation
 
between refractive index and relative
q1q2 permittivity becomes n ≈ √er.
(ii) ε0 = (from Coulomb’s law)
4 πFR 2 Wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in
[F] = [MLT ] –2 the medium,
[Q] = [AT] λ λ
λ med = =
n 2

∴ [ε0] =
[ AT]2 OR
 MLT −2   L2  (b) The velocity of electromagnetic waves in
  
free space (vacuum) is equal to velocity of
= [M–1L–3T4A2]
light in vacuum (i.e., 3 × 108 ms–1).
 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 Marks)

1. The generalized or modified form of Ampere’s circuit

 A conduction current I flows in the wires towards
law (as introduced by James Clerk Maxwell) is: the plates.

→ → d ϕE
 During charging of capacitor, an electric field builds
∫ B . dl = µ0 Ι + µ0 ε0 up between its plates. This changing electric field
dt
induces a magnetic field, even though no actual
Significance of the Generalized Law charge is flowing between the plates. This induced

 The original Ampere’s law only considered magnetic field is equivalent to a displacement
current.
conduction current.

 During discharge, the electric field between the
d ϕε plates decreases. This decreasing electric field
 Maxwell added the displacement term e0

dt also induces a magnetic field, again acting like a
making the law valid even in regions where no displacement current.
physical current flows (e.g. between capacitor
 This displacement current in the gap ensures
plates). continuity of current in the circuit.

 The correction unified electricity and magnetism,
 Magnetic field around the current carrying
enabling the prediction of electromagnetic waves. wire is matched by the magnetic field due to the
displacement current between plates—resolving a
Displacement Current and the Capaccitor Example
major inconsistency in the original Ampere’s law.
Consider a capacitor being charged in a circuit :