Question

In an electormagnetic wave, the phase difference between electric field $\overrightarrow{E}$ and magnetic field $\overrightarrow{B}$ is :

• A. $\frac{\pi }{4}$
• B. $\frac{\pi }{2}$
• C. $\pi$
• D. Zero

Answer 1

The correct option is D Zero

The electric and magnetic field components of a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave oscillate in such a way that they peak at the same time and they become zero at the same time but they point to different directions in space, separated by an angle of ${90}^{\circ }$.

Since there is no time difference between the peaks of the electric and magnetic oscillations the phase difference between the electric and magnetic field vectors of a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave is zero.