Question

An electric dipole with its center located at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system oscillates along the x axis, creating an electromagnetic wave.

Part A: At a position on the z axis far from the origin, what is the polarization of the wave?
Part B: At a position on the axis far from the origin, what is the polarization of the wave?

Answer 1

The wave propagates on the z axis and the polarization is linear on the x axis

Step-by-step explanation:

Part A

When the two dipole charges oscillate they form a fluctuating wave that propagates in the perpendicular direction, so if the oscillation of the magnetic field is on the axis and the propagation of the wave occurs on the z-axis.

The polarization of the electric wave is equal to the direction of the electric field, therefore as the field oscillates on the x-axis the polarization is also on the x-axis and is linearly polarized.

Part B

The wave propagates on the z axis and the polarization is linear on the x axis