Final answer:
In a wave propagating in vacuum, the parameters h (wavevector component along the z-axis), κ (wavenumber denoting spatial variation in the x-direction), and ω (angular frequency) are related through the dispersion relationship c = ω/h, where c is the speed of light in vacuum. The relationship reflects the geometric character of the wave in terms of wavelength and propagation direction.
The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship among the real parameters h, κ, and ω in the electric field of a wave propagating in a vacuum can be understood by discussing the physical meaning of each parameter and their relationships within the equations that describe electromagnetic waves.
Firstly, ω represents the angular frequency of the wave and is related to the frequency, f, by ω = 2πf. The frequency determines how fast the wave oscillates in time.
In contrast, h, in this context, is likely to be a representation of the wave vector along the z-axis, which is generally given by the symbol k in most textbooks. Nevertheless, assuming h to be the wavevector component, it describes how the wave varies in space along the propagation direction, which is related to wavelength λ as h = 2π/λ.
The wavenumber κ indicates the spatial variation of the wave in the x-direction, which is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
Since the wave is propagating in a vacuum, its speed must be the speed of light c, thus relating the parameters by the dispersion relationship c = ω/h. The attenuation coefficient κ does not affect the speed or the frequency but indicates an exponential decay of the amplitude in the x-direction.
Therefore, the parameters h, κ, and ω are related to each other through the speed of light c and the geometric interpretation of the wave in terms of wavelength and direction of propagation.
The correct option is D.