Q.The source of electromagnetic waves can be a charge
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Speed of Light
What It Is
The speed of light is the speed at which light — and every other electromagnetic wave — travels through empty space (vacuum). It is one of the most important constants in physics, denoted c:
c≈3×108 m/s=3×105 km/s
More precisely c=2.998×108 m/s. In one second light travels about 300,000 km — roughly seven and a half times around the Earth.
Where the Value Comes From (Maxwell)
The speed of light is not just measured; it is predicted by Maxwell's equations. When Maxwell combined his laws of electricity and magnetism, he found that electromagnetic waves must travel through vacuum at a speed fixed entirely by two constants of free space:
c=μ0ε01
where
- ε0=8.85×10−12 C2N−1m−2 is the permittivity of free space, and
- μ0=4π×10−7 T m A−1 is the permeability of free space.
Plugging in these numbers gives c≈3×108 m/s — matching the measured speed of light. This agreement was the decisive clue that light itself is an electromagnetic wave.
Key Properties
- Same for all electromagnetic waves. Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays all travel at c in vacuum, regardless of their frequency or wavelength.
- Universal constant. In vacuum, c is the same for every observer and does not depend on the motion of the source — the starting postulate of Einstein's special relativity.
- The cosmic speed limit. No material object or signal carrying information can travel faster than c.
- Links wavelength and frequency. For any EM wave in vacuum,
c=fλ
so a high-frequency wave has a short wavelength and vice versa.
Speed of Light in a Medium
Inside a transparent material (glass, water, etc.) light slows down. Its speed becomes
v=nc=με1
where n=μrεr is the refractive index of the medium and is always greater than 1. For example, in water n≈1.33, so light travels at about 2.25×108 m/s. The frequency stays the same, but the wavelength shortens because v=fλ. …
Why this formula?
Speed of Light: Why the Formula Holds
The speed of light (c) is not just a number — it emerges from the fundamental laws of electricity and magnetism. Let's understand why its value is fixed and where the formula comes from.
1. The Core Formula
The speed of light in vacuum is given by:
c=μ0ε01
Where:
- μ0 = permeability of free space (how easily a magnetic field forms)
- ε0 = permittivity of free space (how easily an electric field forms)
2. Why This Formula? — The Derivation
Step 1: Maxwell's Equations
James Clerk Maxwell unified electricity and magnetism into four equations. Two key ones for light:
- Faraday's Law: A changing magnetic field creates an electric field
∇×E=−∂t∂B
- Ampère's Law (with Maxwell's correction): A changing electric field creates a magnetic field
∇×B=μ0ε0∂t∂E
Step 2: The Wave Emerges
Take the curl of Faraday's Law:
∇×(∇×E)=−∂t∂(∇×B)
Using the vector identity ∇×(∇×E)=∇(∇⋅E)−∇2E and noting that in vacuum ∇⋅E=0, we get:
−∇2E=−∂t∂(∇×B)
Now substitute Ampère's Law for ∇×B:
−∇2E=−∂t∂(μ0ε0∂t∂E)
Step 3: The Wave Equation
This simplifies to:
∇2E=μ0ε0∂t2∂2E
This is the wave equation. For any wave, the general form is:
∇2E=v21∂t2∂2E
Comparing the two, the wave speed v must satisfy:
v21=μ0ε0
Hence:
v=μ0ε01
This v is the speed of light — denoted c.
3. Why Is It Constant?
- μ0 and ε0 are fundamental constants of nature — they don't depend on the observer or the source.
- Therefore, c is also a universal constant. …
Concept: Source of Electromagnetic Waves — only an accelerating charge radiates. A charge produces electromagnetic waves only when it accelerates (its velocity changes in magnitude or direction); a stationary or uniformly-moving charge does not radiate.
- (a) Moving with constant velocity: velocity is unchanging, so acceleration is zero. No radiation — false.
- (b) Moving in a circular orbit: even at constant speed, the direction of velocity keeps changing, so there is a continuous centripetal acceleration. Radiates — true.
- (c) At rest: zero velocity and zero acceleration. No radiation — false. …
Electromagnetic waves are radiated only by an accelerating charge. A charge at rest or moving with constant velocity has unchanging fields and does not radiate. Of the four options, only (b) (moving in a circular orbit — continuous centripetal acceleration) and (d) (falling in an electric field — force produces acceleration) involve acceleration, so these are the correct choices; (a) and (c) are not.
Why acceleration is the key
A stationary charge has a static electric field around it — nothing changes with time, so there is no disturbance to propagate outward. A charge moving with constant velocity carries its field along with it, but in any fixed inertial frame the field pattern at a given point still only changes because the charge moves past it — there is no genuine "kink" that detaches and radiates away. It is only when the charge's velocity changes — that is, when it accelerates — that the field lines develop a travelling disturbance that propagates outward at speed c as an electromagnetic wave.
Larmor's formula for the power radiated by an accelerating charge: P=6πε0c3q2a2
Radiated power is proportional to the square of the acceleration — zero acceleration means zero radiated power, regardless of how fast the charge is moving.
Checking each option
- Moving with a constant velocity. Constant velocity means zero acceleration (a=0). By Larmor's formula, the radiated power is zero. Does not radiate — false.
- Moving in a circular orbit. Even though the speed may be constant, the direction of the velocity is continuously changing, which means there is a non-zero (centripetal) acceleration at every instant, always directed toward the centre of the orbit. Radiates — true.
- At rest. Zero velocity and, since nothing is causing it to move, zero acceleration. Does not radiate — false. …
Method: Deciding Whether a Given Charge Motion Radiates Electromagnetic Waves
Use this method for any question asking which of several described charge motions produces electromagnetic radiation.
Steps
Step 1: Apply the single governing test — is the charge accelerating?
Only an accelerating charge radiates electromagnetic waves; a charge at rest or moving with constant velocity does not, no matter how fast it moves. This follows from Larmor's formula, where radiated power is proportional to the square of the acceleration:
P=6πε0c3q2a2
If a=0, the radiated power is exactly zero regardless of speed.
Step 2: Identify the acceleration (or its absence) in each described motion
- Constant velocity or rest → a=0 → does not radiate.
- Circular/orbital motion, even at constant speed → the direction of velocity changes continuously → non-zero centripetal acceleration → radiates. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Coaxial cable, a widely used wire medium offers an approximate frequency bandwidth of (A) 750 GHz (B) 750 Hz (C) 750 MHz (D) 750 kHz
›Reveal solutionSolution
Coaxial cable is a transmission line whose usable bandwidth is typically in the hundreds of megahertz; the correct choice is 750 MHz.
The key here is understanding what "bandwidth" means for a coaxial cable. Unlike an ideal wire that passes all frequencies, a real coaxial cable has frequency-dependent losses (skin effect, dielectric losses) that limit how high a frequency it can carry before the signal becomes too weak or distorted. For standard coaxial cables used in TV, internet, and radio frequency applications, the practical bandwidth is in the megahertz (MHz) range — not kilohertz (too low), not gigahertz (too high for typical long runs), and certainly not hertz (absurdly low).
Let’s reason through the options:
-
Eliminate obviously wrong orders of magnitude.
- 750 Hz is audio frequency — a coaxial cable can easily carry that, but its bandwidth (the range of frequencies it can handle) is far larger. So (B) is wrong.
- 750 kHz is AM radio range — again, too narrow for modern coaxial use. So (D) is wrong.
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Consider the upper limit.
- 750 GHz is in the terahertz range, far beyond what any conventional coaxial cable can transmit. At such frequencies, the cable acts like a waveguide with severe attenuation. So (A) is unrealistic.
-
Identify the correct range.
- Coaxial cables are commonly used for cable TV, broadband internet, and RF signal distribution. Their bandwidth typically spans from a few MHz up to several hundred MHz (or a few GHz for premium cables like RG-6 or LMR-400). …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-AN1 markMCQQ.Klystron valve is used to produce (A) gamma rays (B) X-rays (C) microwaves (D) infrared waves
›Reveal solutionSolution
A klystron valve is a vacuum tube that amplifies or generates high-frequency radio waves by velocity-modulating an electron beam. The correct answer is (C) microwaves.
The klystron works on a beautiful principle: an electron beam is shot through a series of cavities, and its speed is varied (velocity modulation) by an input radio-frequency signal. This causes the electrons to bunch together as they drift, creating a strong, amplified signal at the output cavity. The key is that this process is designed for very high frequencies — specifically, the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Why not the other options? Gamma rays and X-rays are produced by nuclear transitions or high-energy electron collisions with metal targets (like in an X-ray tube), not by velocity modulation in a vacuum tube. Infrared waves are typically generated by thermal sources or LEDs, not by klystrons. The klystron’s cavity dimensions and operating principles are tuned to wavelengths from about 1 mm to 30 cm — that’s the microwave band.
-
Understand the device’s purpose: A klystron is a specialized vacuum tube used as an amplifier or oscillator for radio frequencies. Its design — with resonant cavities and an electron gun — is optimized for frequencies above 1 GHz.
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Identify the frequency range: The cavities in a klystron have physical dimensions that are comparable to the wavelength of the signal. For practical sizes (a few centimeters to millimeters), the corresponding frequencies fall in the microwave range (300 MHz to 300 GHz). This is far above the frequencies of ordinary radio waves but far below infrared.
-
Eliminate other options:
- (A) Gamma rays: These have wavelengths less than 10⁻¹¹ m and are produced by nuclear decay or particle annihilation. A klystron cannot generate them.
- (B) X-rays: Produced when high-speed electrons strike a metal target (Bremsstrahlung). A klystron’s electrons are deliberately kept from striking the output cavity wall — they are collected gently — so no X-rays are generated. …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-30-FN1 markMCQQ.For a plane electromagnetic wave travelling in free space along X-axis, the magnetic field at a particular point in space is B=2.1×10−8k^ T. The magnitude of the electric field at this point is (A) 0.7 Vm−1 (B) 18.9 Vm−1 (C) 1.7 Vm−1 (D) 6.3 Vm−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
For an electromagnetic wave in free space, the electric and magnetic fields are related by E=cB. Given B=2.1×10−8 T, the electric field magnitude is E=3×108×2.1×10−8=6.3 Vm−1, so option (D) is correct.
The key idea here is that in free space, an electromagnetic wave's electric and magnetic fields are not independent — they are locked together by the speed of light. For a plane wave, the magnitudes satisfy E=cB at every point and instant. This comes directly from Maxwell's equations: in a vacuum, the ratio of the field strengths is fixed by the universal constant c.
Let’s walk through it.
- Recall the fundamental relation. For any electromagnetic wave travelling in free space (or vacuum), the magnitudes of the electric field E and magnetic field B are related by
E=cB
where c=3×108 m/s is the speed of light. This is not an approximation — it follows from the wave solutions of Maxwell’s equations.
- Identify the given data. The magnetic field is given as B=2.1×10−8 k^ T. The direction (k^) tells us the field points along the z-axis, but for magnitude we only need the number:
B=2.1×10−8 T
- Apply the relation. Substitute into E=cB: E=(3×108)×(2.1×10−8) …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-07-FN1 markMCQQ.The ratio between electric field energy density and magnetic field energy density of an electromagnetic wave, in its region is (c – speed of light in vacuum) (A) 1:1 (B) c:1 (C) 1:c2 (D) 1:c
›Reveal solutionSolution
In an electromagnetic wave in vacuum, the electric and magnetic energy densities are equal at every instant, so their ratio is 1:1, independent of c.
The key concept here is that in a plane electromagnetic wave in vacuum, the electric and magnetic fields are related by E=cB. But energy density depends on the square of the field, and the constants in the formulas exactly cancel this factor. Let’s see why.
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Recall the energy density formulas
The energy density stored in an electric field is uE=21ε0E2.
The energy density stored in a magnetic field is uB=21μ0B2.
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Use the wave relation between E and B
For an electromagnetic wave in vacuum, E=cB. Also, c=ε0μ01.
-
Substitute B=E/c into uB
uB=21μ0(E/c)2=21μ0c2E2.
- Replace c2 with 1/(ε0μ0)
uB=21μ0⋅ε0μ01E2=21ε0E2.
- Compare uE and uB …
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.The need for modulation is (A) to increase the intensity of audio signal (B) to decrease the intensity of audio signal (C) to transmit audio signal to large distances (D) to increase the frequency of audio signal
›Reveal solutionSolution
Modulation is needed to send audio signals over long distances because low-frequency audio waves cannot travel far on their own; the correct answer is (C).
The core idea is that audio signals (like speech or music) have low frequencies—typically 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Such low-frequency waves do not radiate efficiently from antennas of practical size, and they suffer from severe attenuation over distance. Modulation solves this by “riding” the audio signal onto a high-frequency carrier wave, which can be transmitted far more effectively.
Why not the other options?
- (A) & (B): Modulation does not primarily change the intensity (amplitude) of the audio signal; it can even reduce it. The goal is not to boost loudness.
- (D): Modulation does increase the frequency of the transmitted wave, but that is a means, not the need. The need is to enable long-distance travel, not just to raise frequency for its own sake.
Step-by-step reasoning:
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Understand the limitation of raw audio signals
Audio frequencies are low. For efficient transmission via an antenna, the antenna length should be comparable to the wavelength (λ=c/f). For a 1 kHz audio signal, λ≈300 km—impractical. Also, low-frequency waves are quickly absorbed by the atmosphere.
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Recognize the purpose of modulation
Modulation shifts the audio signal to a higher frequency band (e.g., radio frequencies). The high-frequency carrier wave can be transmitted with a reasonably sized antenna and travels much farther due to better propagation (e.g., via skywave or line-of-sight).
-
Evaluate each option
- (A) Increase intensity: Modulation does not inherently amplify the audio signal; it only changes its form.
- (B) Decrease intensity: Not the goal; we want to preserve or even improve signal strength at the receiver.
- (C) Transmit to large distances: This is exactly why modulation is used—to overcome the range limitation of baseband audio. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set ap-2021-08-09-AN1 markMCQQ.Maxwell’s equation are applicable for Electromagnetic waves of (A) All wavelengths (B) Ultraviolet only (C) Visible only (D) Radio waves only
›Reveal solutionSolution
Maxwell’s equations are the fundamental laws of electromagnetism, valid for all electromagnetic phenomena regardless of wavelength — so the correct answer is (A) All wavelengths.
The key idea is that Maxwell’s equations (Gauss’s law, Gauss’s law for magnetism, Faraday’s law, and Ampère’s law with Maxwell’s correction) are universal laws of nature. They describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and interact, and they predict the existence of electromagnetic waves. These waves can have any frequency or wavelength — from radio waves to gamma rays — and the equations apply equally to all of them.
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Understand what Maxwell’s equations govern
They are a set of four differential or integral equations that relate electric fields E, magnetic fields B, charge density ρ, and current density J. They do not contain any restriction on wavelength or frequency — they are scale-invariant in that sense.
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Recall the prediction of electromagnetic waves
Maxwell showed that a changing electric field produces a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic field produces an electric field. This mutual induction allows a self-sustaining wave to travel through space. The wave equation derived from Maxwell’s equations is:
∇2E=μ0ϵ0∂t2∂2E
and similarly for B. The speed of these waves is c=1/μ0ϵ0, which is constant — no wavelength dependence appears.
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Consider the electromagnetic spectrum
The spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. All are electromagnetic waves differing only in frequency ν and wavelength λ=c/ν. Maxwell’s equations hold for every single one of them — they are the same physics.
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Eliminate the incorrect options …
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- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.A signal of 20 kHz is being carried on a carrier wave of 3 MHz. What are the side band frequencies? (A) 3050 kHz & 2950 kHz (B) 3020 kHz & 2970 kHz (C) 3050 kHz & 2980 kHz (D) 3020 kHz & 2980 kHz
›Reveal solutionSolution
In amplitude modulation, the sideband frequencies are the sum and difference of the carrier and signal frequencies. Here, they are 3 MHz±20 kHz, giving 3020 kHz and 2980 kHz.
The core idea is simple: when a low-frequency signal (the message) is superimposed on a high-frequency carrier wave in amplitude modulation, the resulting modulated wave contains three frequency components — the original carrier and two new frequencies called the upper sideband and lower sideband. These sidebands are the carrier frequency plus and minus the signal frequency.
Why does this happen? Mathematically, multiplying a carrier cos(ωct) by a modulating signal (1+mcos(ωmt)) produces terms like cos(ωct)cos(ωmt), which expands to 21[cos((ωc+ωm)t)+cos((ωc−ωm)t)]. So the sidebands appear naturally at fc±fm.
Now let’s apply this to the given numbers.
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Identify the given frequencies.
The carrier frequency is fc=3 MHz. The modulating (signal) frequency is fm=20 kHz.
To avoid unit mismatch, convert everything to kHz: fc=3000 kHz, fm=20 kHz.
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Compute the upper sideband frequency.
Upper sideband = fc+fm=3000 kHz+20 kHz=3020 kHz.
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Compute the lower sideband frequency. …
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