The amplitude of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is...

Name: Problem 24, Chapter 22: Master Resource Book in JEE Main Physics
Uploaded: 2022-01-16T05:35:02-08:00
Duration: 1 min 29 s
Channel: Amita Prajapat
Description: The amplitude of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is doubled with no other changes made to the wave. As a result of this doubling of the amplitude, which of the following statement is true? (a) The speed of wave propagation changes only (b) The frequency of the wave changes only (c) The wavelength of the wave changes only [d) None of the above

The amplitude of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is doubled with no other changes made to the wave. As a result of this doubling of the amplitude, which of the following statement is true? (a) The speed of wave propagation changes only (b) The frequency of the wave changes only (c) The wavelength of the wave changes only [d) None of the above

The amplitude of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is doubled with no other changes made to the wave. As a result of this doubling of the amplitude, which of the following statement is true?
(a) The speed of wave propagation changes only
(b) The frequency of the wave changes only
(c) The wavelength of the wave changes only
[d) None of the above

Key Concepts

Amplitude

Amplitude represents the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium. In wave physics, it is directly related to the energy or intensity of the wave, meaning that when amplitude increases, the energy carried by the wave increases as well, typically proportional to the square of the amplitude.

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space, including vacuum, at a constant speed known as the speed of light. Their fundamental properties include frequency, wavelength, and speed, which in a vacuum remain constant regardless of the amplitude.

Intensity and its Relation to Amplitude

The intensity of an electromagnetic wave is a measure of the energy it transmits per unit area per unit time and is proportional to the square of the amplitude. While a change in amplitude alters the energy carried by the wave, it does not intrinsically affect other properties like frequency, wavelength, or speed.

Invariance of Frequency, Wavelength, and Speed

For electromagnetic waves propagating in a vacuum, key characteristics such as frequency, wavelength, and speed are determined by the source and the properties of space rather than by the wave’s amplitude. Changes in amplitude affect the energy but leave the propagation speed, frequency, and wavelength unchanged.

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