In a plane radio wave the maximum value of the electric...

In a plane radio wave the maximum value of the electric field component is $5.00 \mathrm{~V} / \mathrm{m} .$ Calculate (a) the maximum value of the magnetic field component and (b) the wave intensity.

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Key Concepts

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation

Electromagnetic waves in free space consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate perpendicular to each other and the direction of motion. Their mutual relationship and the fact that they travel at a constant speed (the speed of light in vacuum) are fundamental characteristics of classical electromagnetism.

Relationship Between Electric and Magnetic Fields

In a plane electromagnetic wave traveling in free space, the electric field (E) and the magnetic field (B) are directly related by the speed of light (c), given by E = cB. This relation is crucial in determining one field component when the other is known, and it reflects the intrinsic link between the two fields in electromagnetic radiation.

Wave Intensity (Poynting Vector)

The intensity of an electromagnetic wave, which represents the average power transmitted per unit area, is described by the Poynting vector. For plane waves in free space, the time-averaged intensity can be expressed in terms of the electric field amplitude as I = (1/2)??cE?². This formula illustrates how the energy carried by the wave depends on the amplitude of the electric field and fundamental constants like the permittivity of free space (??) and the speed of light (c).

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