Question

A plane electromagnetic wave propagating along $y$-direction can have the following pair of electric field $\left(\overrightarrow{E}\right)$ and magnetic field $\left(\overrightarrow{B}\right)$ components

• A. $Ex,Bz$or $Ez,Bx$
• B. $Ey,Bx$ or $Ex,By$
• C. $Ex,By$ or $Ey,Bx$
• D. $Ey,By$ or $Ez,Bz$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

$Ex,Bz$or $Ez,Bx$

Step 1. Given data

A plane electromagnetic wave propagating along $y$-direction

Step 2. Finding the electric field and magnetic field components

As, $\hat{E}\times \hat{B}=\hat{C}$ [ Where, $\hat{E}$ represents the direction of propagation of electric field, $\hat{B}$ represents the direction of the magnetic field, $\hat{C}$ represents the direction of propagation of wave ]

For an electromagnetic wave,

$\hat{E}\times \hat{B}$ should point in the direction of propagation of wave ($y-$direction) here

Therefore, the possible combinations are $(Ex,Bz)$ or $(Ez,Bx)$

Hence, option ($A$) is correct.