Final answer:
The average intensity of an electromagnetic wave with a peak electric field of 1600 V/m is approximately 2.26 x 10^3 W/m^2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the average intensity (S) of an electromagnetic wave with a peak electric field (E) of 1600 V/m, we can use the formula for intensity, S = (1/2) ε0 c E2, where ε0 is the permittivity of free space and c is the speed of light.
Given that the permittivity of free space ε0 is approximately 8.85 x 10-12 C2/N·m2 and the speed of light c is approximately 3.00 x 108 m/s, we can calculate the average intensity of the wave using the provided electric field.
Plugging in the values, the calculation is as follows:
S = (1/2) ε0 c E2 = (1/2)(8.85 x 10-12)(3.00 x 108)(1600)2
Performing the calculation provides an average intensity:
S ≈ 2.26 x 103 W/m2