Problem 1
(a) How much time does it take light to travel from the moon to the earth, a distance of 384,000 km? (b) Light from the star Sirius takes 8.61 years to reach the earth. What is the distance from earth to Sirius in kilometers?
Problem 2
Consider each of the electric- and magnetic-field orientations given next. In each case, what is the direction of propagation of the wave? (a) \(\vec{E}\) in the +\(x\)-direction, \(\vec{B}\) in the +\(y\)-direction; (b) \(\vec{E}\) in the -\(y\)-direction, \(\vec{B}\) in the +\(x\)-direction; (c) \(\vec{E}\) in the +\(z\)-direction, \(\vec{B}\) in the -\(x\)-direction; (d) \(\vec{E}\) in the +\(y\)-direction, \(\vec{B}\) in the -\(z\)-direction.
Problem 3
A sinusoidal electromagnetic wave is propagating in vacuum in the +\(z\)-direction. If at a particular instant and at a certain point in space the electric field is in the +\(x\)-direction and has magnitude 4.00 V/m, what are the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field of the wave at this same point in space and instant in time?
Problem 4
Consider each of the following electric- and magneticfield orientations. In each case, what is the direction of propagation of the wave? (a) \(\vec{E} = E\hat{\imath}\), \(\vec{B} = -B\hat{\jmath}\); (b) \(\vec{E} = E\hat{\jmath}\), \(\vec{B} = B\hat{\imath}\); (c) \(\vec{E} = -E\hat{k}\) , \(\vec{B} = -B\hat{\imath}\); (d) \(vec{E} = E\hat{\imath}\), \(\vec{B} = -B\hat{k}\).
Problem 5
Medical x rays are taken with electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of around 0.10 nm in air. What are the frequency, period, and wave number of such waves?
Problem 6
There are two categories of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a wavelength ranging from 320 nm to 400 nm. It is necessary for the production of vitamin D. UVB, with a wavelength in vacuum between 280 nm and 320 nm, is more dangerous because it is much more likely to cause skin cancer. (a) Find the frequency ranges of UVA and UVB. (b) What are the ranges of the wave numbers for UVA and UVB?
Problem 7
A sinusoidal electromagnetic wave having a magnetic field of amplitude 1.25 \(\mu\)T and a wavelength of 432 nm is traveling in the +\(x\)-direction through empty space. (a) What is the frequency of this wave? (b) What is the amplitude of the associated electric field? (c) Write the equations for the electric and magnetic fields as functions of \(x\) and t in the form of Eqs. (32.17).
Problem 8
An electromagnetic wave of wavelength 435 nm is traveling in vacuum in the -\(z\)-direction. The electric field has amplitude 2.70 \(\times\) 10\(^{-3}\) V/m and is parallel to the \(x\)-axis. What are (a) the frequency and (b) the magnetic-field amplitude? (c) Write the vector equations for \(\vec{E} (z, t)\) and \(\vec{B} (z, t)\).
Problem 9
Consider electromagnetic waves propagating in air. (a) Determine the frequency of a wave with a wavelength of (i) 5.0 km, (ii) 5.0 mm, (iii) 5.0 nm. (b) What is the wavelength (in meters and nanometers) of (i) gamma rays of frequency 6.50 \(\times\) 10\(^{21}\) Hz and (ii) an AM station radio wave of frequency 590 kHz?
Problem 10
The electric field of a sinusoidal electromagnetic wave obeys the equation \(E = (375 V/m)\) cos [(1.99 \(\times\) 107 rad/m)x + (5.97 \(\times\) 10\(^{15}\) rad/s)\(t\)]. (a) What is the speed of the wave? (b) What are the amplitudes of the electric and magnetic fields of this wave? (c) What are the frequency, wavelength, and period of the wave? Is this light visible to humans?