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MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Q1. A current I is created by a narrow beam of protons moving in vacuum with constant
r
velocity v . The magnitude of the Poynting vector S outside the beam at a radial distance
r (much larger than the width of the beam) from the axis, are
r I r I
(a) S = (b) S =
4π ε 0 vr
2 2
4π ε 0 vr 4
2

r I2 r I2
(c) S = (d) S =
4π 2ε 0 vr 2 4π 2ε 0 vr 4
Q2. Two electromagnetic waves are travelling along the z-direction in vacuum. The electric
vectors of the two waves are

Ε1 = iˆΕ 0 cos(kz − ωt ) + ˆjΕ 0 sin (kz − ωt )

and Ε 2 = iˆΕ 0 sin (kz − ωt ) + ˆjΕ 0 cos(kz − ωt )

The state of polarization of the wave resulting from the superposition of these two waves
is:
(a) circular (b) plane (c) elliptical (d) unpolarised
r r
Q3. The E field of a plane EM wave is E ( z , t ) = E0 sin ( kz + ωt ) yˆ . The magnetic field of this
wave is given by
r kE r E
(a) B ( z , t ) = 0 sin ( kz + ωt ) xˆ (b) B ( z , t ) = − 0 sin ( kz + ωt ) xˆ
ω kω
r E r kE
(c) B ( z , t ) = − 0 sin ( kz + ωt ) zˆ (d) B ( z , t ) = 0 sin ( kz + ωt ) zˆ
kω ω
r r
Q4. The B field of a plane EM wave is B ( y, t ) = B0 sin ( ky − ωt ) zˆ . The electric field of this
wave is given by
r B r
(a) E ( y, t ) = 0 sin ( ky − ωt ) yˆ (b) E ( y, t ) = −cB0 sin ( ky − ωt ) yˆ
c
r B r
(c) E ( y, t ) = 0 sin ( ky − ωt ) xˆ (d) E ( y, t ) = −cB0 sin ( ky − ωt ) xˆ
c

fiziks c/o Anand Institute of mathematics, 28‐B/6 Jia Sarai

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ur ur
The electric field E1 ( r , t ) = E0 ( xˆ + iyˆ ) exp ⎡⎣i ( kz − ωt ) ⎤⎦ and E 2 ( r , t ) = E0 e (
i kz −ωt )
Q5. xˆ of an

electromagnetic wave propagating along positive z-direction, have state polarization.

(a) Plane polarized and circularly polarized
(b) Circularly polarized and plane polarized
(c) Elliptically polarized and plane polarized
(d) Both are plane polarized
Q6. The electric field of an electromagnetic wave is given by
ur ^ ^
E = E1 cos (ωt − kz ) x + E2 sin (ωt − kz ) y

The state of polarization of the electromagnetic wave is:

(a) Circular, clockwise (b) circular, anti-clockwise
(d) Elliptical, clockwise (d) elliptical, anti-clockwise
Q7. Assume that a lamp radiates power P in free space uniformly in all directions. What is
the magnitude of electric field strength at a distance r from the lamp?

P P P P
(a) (b) (c) (d)
π cε 0 r 2
2π cε 0 r 2 2π cε 0 r 2 π cε 0 r 2
r
Q8. A plane progressive wave is traveling with wave vector k , n̂ is the unit vector in the
direction of amplitude. If the wave is longitudinal, then which of the following is correct?
r r r r
(a) nˆ × k ≠ 0, nˆ ⋅ k = 0 (b) nˆ × k = 0, nˆ ⋅ k = 0
r r r r
(c) nˆ × k = 0, nˆ ⋅ k ≠ 0 (d) nˆ × k ≠ 0, nˆ.k ≠ 0
Q9. In a non-conducting medium characterized by ε = ε 0 , μ = μ0 and conductivity σ = 0 , the
ur
electric field (in Vm-1) is given by Ε = 20sin ⎡⎣108 t − kz ⎤⎦ yˆ . The magnetic
uur −1
field H (in Am ) , is given by
20k
(a) 20k in(108 t − kz ) xˆ (b) − sin(108 t − kz ) yˆ
10 μ0
8

20k
(c) − sin(108 t − kz ) xˆ (d) −20k in(108 t − kz ) xˆ
10 μ0
8

fiziks c/o Anand Institute of mathematics, 28‐B/6 Jia Sarai

Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, PIN‐ 110016 (INDIA)
Phone: 011‐32718565, +91‐9871145498
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Q10. A plane electromagnetic wave has the magnetic field given by

ur ⎡ k ⎤
B ( x, y, z, t ) = B0 sin ⎢( x + y ) + ω t ⎥ zˆ ,
⎣ 2 ⎦
where k is the wave number and xˆ , yˆ and ẑ are the cartesian unit vectors in x, y and z
directions, respectively. Then the corresponding electric field is given by
r ⎡ k ⎤ ( xˆ + yˆ )
(a) E = cB0 sin ⎢( x + y ) + ωt ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦ 2
r ⎡ k ⎤ ( xˆ + yˆ )
(b) E = −cB0 sin ⎢( x + y ) + ωt ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦ 2
r ⎡ k ⎤ ( xˆ − yˆ )
(c) E = −cB0 sin ⎢( x + y ) + ωt ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦ 2
r ⎡ ⎤ (xˆ − yˆ )
(d) E = cB0 sin ⎢( x + y )
k
+ ωt ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦ 2
Q11. A plane electromagnetic wave has the magnetic field given by
ur ⎡ k ⎤
B ( x, y, z , t ) = B0 sin ⎢( x + y ) − ω t ⎥ zˆ ,
⎣ 2 ⎦
where k is the wave number and xˆ , yˆ and ẑ are the cartesian unit vectors in x, y and z
directions, respectively. Then the average Poynting vector is given by
cB02 ( xˆ − yˆ ) −cB02 ( xˆ − yˆ )
(a) (b)
2 μ0 2 2 μ0 2

cB02 ( xˆ + yˆ ) −cB02 ( xˆ + yˆ )
(c) (d)
2 μ0 2 2 μ0 2
ur r
Q12. The electric field Ε(r , t ) for a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave propagating
along the positive z direction is:
ur r ur r
(a) Ε(r , t ) = Ε0 ( xˆ + yˆ ) exp[i (kz − ωt )] (b) Ε(r , t ) = Ε0 ( xˆ + iyˆ ) exp[i (kz − ωt )]
ur r ur r
(c) Ε(r , t ) = Ε0 ( xˆ + iyˆ ) exp[i (kz + ωt )] (d) Ε(r , t ) = Ε0 ( xˆ + yˆ ) exp[i (kz + ωt )]

fiziks c/o Anand Institute of mathematics, 28‐B/6 Jia Sarai

Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, PIN‐ 110016 (INDIA)
Phone: 011‐32718565, +91‐9871145498
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Q13. The state of polarization of light wave with the electric field vector
ur
ˆ 0 cos ( kz − ωt ) + yE
E = xE ˆ 0 cos ( kz − ωt ) is

(a) Circularly polarized

(b) Elliptically polarized with the major axis along x-axis
(c) Linearly polarized along z-direction
(d) Linearly polarized at 45o to x-axis
Q14. A beam of light of frequency ω is reflected from a dielectric-metal interface at normal
incidence. The refractive index of the dielectric medium is n and that of the metal is
n2 = n(1 + iρ ) . If the beam is polarised parallel to the interface, then the phase change
experienced by the light upon reflection is
(a) tan(2 / ρ ) (b) tan −1 (1 / ρ ) (c) tan −1 (2 / ρ ) (d) tan −1 (2 ρ )

MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)

Q15. Which of the following functions satisfy the wave equation (where symbols have their
usual meaning)

(a) f ( z , t ) = Ae −α (b) f ( z , t ) = A sin [α ( z − vt )]

( z − vt )2

( z 2 + vt ) A
(c) f ( z , t ) = Ae (d) f ( z , t ) =
−α

α ( z − vt ) + 1
2

Q16. Which of the following functions satisfy the wave equation (where symbols have their
usual meaning)

(a) f ( z , t ) = A sin ( bz ) cos ( bvt ) (b) f ( z , t ) = A sin [α ( z − vt )]

3

( z 2 + vt ) A
(c) f ( z , t ) = Ae (d) f ( z , t ) =
−α

α ( z − vt ) + 1
2

Q17. Consider the following statements:

(a) An electromagnetic wave incident upon a perfectly absorbing surface exerts pressure
equal to that when the electromagnetic wave is incident upon a perfectly reflecting
surface.
(b) The radiation pressure is directly proportional to the magnitude of Poynting vector.

fiziks c/o Anand Institute of mathematics, 28‐B/6 Jia Sarai

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Phone: 011‐32718565, +91‐9871145498
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(c) An electromagnetic wave incident upon a perfectly absorbing surface exerts pressure
equal to half of that when the electromagnetic wave is incident upon a perfectly reflecting
surface.
(d) The radiation pressure is not proportional to the magnitude of Poynting vector.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q18. A plane electromagnetic wave is propagating in a lossless dielectric. The electric field is
given by
r
( ) [ { ( )}]
E ( x, y, z , t ) = E 0 xˆ + 2 Azˆ exp ik 0 − ct + x + 3 z ,

where c is the speed of light in vacuum, E0 , A and k0 are constant and x̂ and ẑ are unit
vectors along the x- and z-axes. n is the refractive index of the medium and A is some
constant. Then which of the following are true?
1 1
(a) n = 2 (b) n = 4 (c) A = (d) A = −
6 6
Q19. An electromagnetic wave propagates inside a conductor. Then which of the following
statements are true.
(a) The amplitude of E and B decreases exponentially.
(b) There is phase delay between E and B
(c) E and B are perpendicular to each other
(d) Phase delay does not depend on particular conductor used

NAT (Numerical Answer Type)

Q20. Assume that a lamp radiates 5 Watts of power in free space uniformly in all directions.
Then the magnitude of electric field strength (in V / m ) at a distance 1 m from the lamp
is………….
Q21. The plane electromagnetic wave in fee space in SI units are given by the expressions
⎡ ⎛ x⎞ π ⎤
Ex = 0, E y = 2 cos ⎢ 2π × 1014 ⎜ t − ⎟ + ⎥ and Ez = 0
⎣ ⎝ c⎠ 2⎦

The wavelength of the wave is………….. ×10−6 m

fiziks c/o Anand Institute of mathematics, 28‐B/6 Jia Sarai

Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, PIN‐ 110016 (INDIA)
Phone: 011‐32718565, +91‐9871145498
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ur
Q22. An electromagnetic wave with Ε( z , t ) = Ε 0 cos (ω t − k z ) xˆ is traveling in free space and

crosses a disc of radius 2 m placed perpendicular to the z-axis. If Ε0 = 60 V / m , the

average power, in Watt, crossing the disc along the z-direction is…………….
Q23. The intensity of sunlight hitting the earth is about 1300 W / m 2 . If sunlight strikes a

perfect reflector, then the pressure it would exert will be………. ×10−6 N / m 2

Q24. The intensity of sunlight hitting the earth is about 1300 W / m 2 . If sunlight strikes a

perfect absorber, then the pressure it would exert will be………. ×10−6 N / m 2
Q25. Consider the superposition of two coherent electromagnetic waves whose electric field
r r ⎛ π⎞
vectors are given by E1 = iˆE0 cos ω t and E2 = ˆjE0 cos ⎜ ω t + ⎟ . The intensity of the
⎝ 2⎠
ε0
resulting wave is given by E 2 = αε 0 E02 , where E 2 is the time average of E2. Then
2
the value of α is……………….
Q26. The refractive index of a medium in which the electric field of an electromagnetic wave
ur
( )
is given in MKS units by E = E0 cos 107 x + 107 y − 1015 t zˆ is………..

Q27. An electromagnetically-shielded room is designed so that at a frequency ω = 10 7 rad/s

the intensity of the external radiation that penetrates the room is 1% of the incident

× 10 6 (Ωm ) is the conductivity of the shielding material, its

1 −1
radiation. If σ =
2π
minimum thickness should be (given that ln10 = 2.3 ) …………..mm
Q28. An electromagnetic wave of frequency 10 GHz is propagating through a conductor
−1
having conductivity 6 × 107 ( Ωm ) . Then skin depth of the conductor is……….. μ m
(Assume μ = μ0 , ε = ε 0 )

fiziks c/o Anand Institute of mathematics, 28‐B/6 Jia Sarai

Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, PIN‐ 110016 (INDIA)
Phone: 011‐32718565, +91‐9871145498
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