Start Learning Free

Before You Begin

Question #43170

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

An electromagnetic wave of angular frequency ω\omega propagates in the +x+x direction through a non-magnetic dispersive medium (μ=μ0\mu = \mu_0). The medium's dielectric response is modeled by an equivalent series LCR circuit. The applied electric field E⃗\vec{E} drives a polarization current density J⃗p\vec{J}_p such that J⃗p=E⃗/Z\vec{J}_p = \vec{E} / Z, where ZZ is the complex specific impedance of the medium.

The specific impedance is given by Z=ρ+i(ωL−1ωC)Z = \rho + i\left(\omega L - \frac{1}{\omega C}\right), where ρ\rho, LL, and CC are the effective resistivity, specific inductance, and specific capacitance of the medium. The wave frequency is tuned to the resonant frequency of the medium (ω=1/LC\omega = 1/\sqrt{LC}). At this frequency, the effective resistivity is ρ=13ϵ0ω\rho = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3} \epsilon_0 \omega}, where ϵ0\epsilon_0 is the vacuum permittivity.

If the electric field of the wave is E⃗(x,t)=E0e−αxcos⁡(βx−ωt)y^\vec{E}(x,t) = E_0 e^{-\alpha x} \cos(\beta x - \omega t) \hat{y}, which of the following represents the corresponding magnetic field B⃗(x,t)\vec{B}(x,t)? (Here c=1/μ0ϵ0c = 1/\sqrt{\mu_0 \epsilon_0} is the speed of light in vacuum)

Options

  • A.

    2E0ce−αxcos⁡(βx−ωt+π6)z^\frac{\sqrt{2} E_0}{c} e^{-\alpha x} \cos\left(\beta x - \omega t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right) \hat{z}

  • B.

    2E0ce−αxcos⁡(βx−ωt−π6)z^\frac{\sqrt{2} E_0}{c} e^{-\alpha x} \cos\left(\beta x - \omega t - \frac{\pi}{6}\right) \hat{z}

  • C.

    E0ce−αxcos⁡(βx−ωt)z^\frac{E_0}{c} e^{-\alpha x} \cos\left(\beta x - \omega t\right) \hat{z}

  • D.

    2E0ce−αxcos⁡(βx−ωt+π3)z^\frac{2 E_0}{c} e^{-\alpha x} \cos\left(\beta x - \omega t + \frac{\pi}{3}\right) \hat{z}

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Multi-Concept_Bridge

Master problems that require linking physics and math concepts to solve complex competitive questions.

Concepts Behind This Question

Phase Relationship|Series LCR Impedance Vector|Dielectric Constant (K) Shift

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

This question tests the coupling between a medium's dispersive LCR response and the propagation phase of an EM wave.

The primary trap is assuming that at LCR resonance (ω=1/LC\omega = 1/\sqrt{LC}), the medium's impedance is purely real, implying it behaves like a simple non-dispersive dielectric where E⃗\vec{E} and B⃗\vec{B} are in phase.

Students fail to recognize that a purely real specific impedance Z=ρZ = \rho means the polarization current is in phase with E⃗\vec{E}, acting as a conductivity term.

This makes the effective permittivity complex (ϵ~=ϵ0+iσ/ω\tilde{\epsilon} = \epsilon_0 + i\sigma/\omega), leading to a complex wave number k~\tilde{k}.

The complex k~\tilde{k} introduces a fundamental phase shift between the electric and magnetic fields, analogous to the voltage-current phase shift in reactive circuits, but here induced by the resistive dissipation of the medium.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectPhysics
ChapterElectromagnetic Waves - Class 12
ConceptPhase Relationship
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load7
Target Solve Time160 sec
AccessFree