Question

What is the maximum electric field strength in an electromagnetic wave that has a maximum magnetic field strength of 5.00×10-4 T (about 10 times the Earth's)?

a) 1.79 × 108 N/C
b) 2.98 x 108 N/C
c) 4.50 × 108 N/C
d) 6.67 × 108 N/C

Answer 1

The maximum electric field strength of an electromagnetic wave, given a maximum magnetic field strength of 5.00×10⁻⁴ T, is calculated to be 1.50×10⁸ N/C. However, this result does not match any of the provided multiple-choice options, suggesting an error in the question or options.

Step-by-step explanation:

The maximum electric field strength in an electromagnetic wave can be determined using the relationship between the electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave. In a vacuum, the speed of light c is the product of the maximum electric field strength E and the maximum magnetic field strength B, expressed by the equation c = E/B. Given a maximum magnetic field strength of 5.00×10⁻⁴ T, and knowing that the speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3.00×10⁸ m/s, we can calculate the maximum electric field strength.

Using the given values, the calculation is: E = c × B, which becomes E = (3.00×10⁸ m/s) × (5.00×10⁻⁴ T). Performing the multiplication, we find that the maximum electric field strength E is 1.50×10⁸ N/C. This value does not match any of the provided options (a) 1.79 × 10⁸ N/C, (b) 2.98 x 10⁸ N/C, (c) 4.50 × 10⁸ N/C, or (d) 6.67 × 10⁸ N/C, indicating a possible error in the question or the provided options. However, based on the calculation with correct constants, none of the options are correct.