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NEET PHYSICSELECTROMAGNETIC WAVESMedium

Question

The electric field of an electromagnetic wave in free space is given by E=10cos(107t+kx)j^\vec{E} = 10 \cos(10^7 t + kx) \hat{j} V/m, where tt and xx are in seconds and meters respectively. It can be inferred that: (1) The wavelength λ\lambda is 188.4 m188.4 \text{ m}. (2) The wave number kk is 0.33 rad/m0.33 \text{ rad/m}. (3) The wave amplitude is 10 V/m10 \text{ V/m}. (4) The wave is propagating along +x+x direction. Which one of the following pairs of statements is correct?

A

(3) and (4)

B

(1) and (2)

C

(2) and (3)

D

(1) and (3)

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Analyze Amplitude: The standard wave equation is E=E0cos(ωt±kx)E = E_0 \cos(\omega t \pm kx). Comparing with the given equation, the amplitude E0=10 V/mE_0 = 10 \text{ V/m}. Thus, statement (3) is correct.
  2. Analyze Direction: The argument of the cosine function is (107t+kx)(10^7 t + kx). The positive sign between the time and position terms (++) indicates that the wave is propagating in the negative xx-direction . Thus, statement (4) is incorrect.
  3. Analyze Wavelength: The angular frequency is ω=107 rad/s\omega = 10^7 \text{ rad/s}. The speed of light in vacuum is c=3×108 m/sc = 3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}. The wavelength λ\lambda is given by λ=2πcω\lambda = \frac{2\pi c}{\omega}. λ=2π×3×108107=60π60×3.1416=188.5 m\lambda = \frac{2\pi \times 3 \times 10^8}{10^7} = 60\pi \approx 60 \times 3.1416 = 188.5 \text{ m} Thus, statement (1) is correct (188.4 m is a reasonable approximation).
  4. Analyze Wave Number: The wave number k=ωc=1073×108=1300.033 rad/mk = \frac{\omega}{c} = \frac{10^7}{3 \times 10^8} = \frac{1}{30} \approx 0.033 \text{ rad/m}. Statement (2) claims it is 0.33 rad/m0.33 \text{ rad/m}, which is incorrect by a factor of 10.

Therefore, only statements (1) and (3) are correct.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET PHYSICS syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

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