National Institute of Technology, Rourkela

PH1003: Waves and Optics

Session 2023-24, Autumn Semester

End-term Examination

All parts of a question should be answered at one place.

Full Marks: 50 Time Allotted: 3hrs

2
Useful constants: c = 3 × 108 m s−1 , ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 N.m
C
2 , µ0 = 4π × 10
−7 N
A2

1. A point moves in circle at a constant speed of 50 cm/sec. The period of one complete
journey around the circle is 6 sec. At t=0 the line to the point from the center of the
circle makes an angle of 30◦ with the axis.
(a) Obtain the equation of the x coordinate of the point as a function of time, in the
form x = A cos(ωt + α), giving numerical values of A, ω and α. (3 marks)
dx d2 x
(b) Calculate the numerical value of dt
and dt2
at x = 2 sec. (2 marks)

2. (i) Explain with specific reasons, which of the following functions describe simple har-
monic motion: (1+1 marks)
3π
(a) y = 5 cos 4
− 3ωt)
(b) y = 1 + ωt − ω 2 t2
~ y, z) write down the expresssions
(ii) Given a scalar field Φ(x, y, x) and a vector field A(x,
~ A
for: (a) ∇Φ, (b) ∇. ~ and (c) ∇~ ×A ~ (3 marks)

3. (i) Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves giving two examples of each.
(3 marks)
(ii) Distinguish between progressive waves and standing waves. In each case mention
how the disturbance ξ(x, t) depends on x and t. (2 marks)

4. (i) Distinguish between group velocity and phase velocity. (1 mark)

(ii) Consider the wave equation
1 ∂2
 
2 1
∇ − 2 2 Ψ(~r, t) = 2 Ψ(~r, t)
c ∂t L
(a) What is the dispersion relation for this wave equation? (2 marks)

1
 (b) Calculate the phase velocity and the group velocity. (2 marks)

5. A long uniform string of mass density 0.1 kg/m is stretched with a force of 50 N. One
end of the string (x = 0) is oscillated transversely (sinusoidally) with an amplitude of
0.02 m and a period of 0.1 sec, so that traveling waves in the +x direction are set up.
(a) What is the velocity of the waves? (1 mark)
(b) What is their wavelength? (1 mark)
dy
(c) If at the driving end (x = 0) the displacement (y) at t = 0 is 0.01 m with dt
negative,
what is the equation of the traveling waves? (3 marks)

6. (i) Write down the expression for the electric field due to a static volume charge distri-
bution ρ(r~0 ) defined within a volume V . (1 mark)
(ii) Write down the expression for the magnetic field due to a static volume current
distribution ρ(r~0 ) defined within a volume V . (1 mark)
(iii) What kind of charge and current distribution give rise to static electric and magnetic
fields? (1 mark)
(iv) Derive the continuity equation ∇. ~ J~ = − from Maxwell’s equations. Here J~ and ρ
∂ρ
∂t
are volume current and volume charge density respectively. (2 marks)

7. (i) Find the electric field inside a sphere which carries a charge density proportional to
the distance from the origin, ρ = kr, where k is a constant. (3 marks)
(ii) Find the electric field a distance s from an infinitely long straight wire which carries
a uniform line charge λ. (2 marks)

8. Consider the following vector fields:

~ = κ[xy x̂ + 2yz ŷ + 3xz ẑ]
(a) E
~ = β[(−4x − 6y + 3z)x̂ + (−2x + y − 5z)ŷ + (5x + 6y + az)ẑ]
(b) B
~ represent electrostatic field
where κ and β are constants with appropriate units. Does E
~ represent magnetic field? Justify your answer.
and B (5 marks)

9. (i) Write down the four Maxwell’s equation in connection with electromagnetic waves.
(2 marks)
(ii) Using Maxwell’s equation show that the electric field and the magnetic field satisfy
the wave equation. (3 marks)

10. (i) Show that the electromagnetic waves travel with speed 3 × 108 m s−1 . (1 mark)
~ and B
(ii) Write down the solution for E ~ if they satisfy the wave equation. (2 marks)
(iii) Show that the electric and magnetic fields in EM waves are mutually perpendicular.
(2 marks)