8.11 Suppose that the electric field part of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is E=3.1N/Ccos1.8 rad/my + 5.4×106 rad/sti^.

(a) What is the direction of propagation?

(b) What is the wavelength λ?

(c) What is the frequency ν?

(d) What is the amplitude of the magnetic field part of the wave?

(e) Write an expression for the magnetic field part of the wave.  

 

(a)
Hint:
Electromagnetic wave propagates perpendicular to the electric field.
Step: Find the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation.
From the given equation of the electric field vector, we can see that the electromagnetic wave is propagating along the negative y-direction.

(b)
Hint:
\(\lambda =\frac{2\pi}{k}\)
Step 1: Compare the given equation with standard equation.

E=3.1 N/C cos (1.8 rad/m)y+(5.4×108rad/s)t\(\widehat i\)
Comparing it with:
E=E0 sin (ky+ωt)i^

Amplitude ofelectric field  E0= 3.1 N/C
Angular frequency  ω=5 ×108 rad/
Wave number  k= 1.8 rad/m

Step 2: Find the wavelength.
\(\lambda =\frac{2\pi}{k}\)=\(\frac{2\pi}{1.8}=3.490\) m

(c)
Hint: ν=ω2π

Step: Find the frequency
ν=ω2π=5.4×1082π=8.6×107 Hz


(d)
Hint: B0=E0c
Step: Find the amplitude of the magnetic field.

B0=E0c
B0=3.13×108=1.03×10-7 T


(e)
Hint:
Electromagnetic wave propagates perpendicular to the electric and magnetic field.
Step: Find the equation of magnetic field.
As the wave is traveling along negative y-direction and the electric field is directed along the +x-direction, the magnetic field should direct towards +z-direction. Hence, the general equation for the magnetic field vector is:

B=B0cos(ky+ωt)k^
={(1.03×10-7T)cos (1.8 rad/m)y+(5.4×106 rad/s)t}k^