Problem 1: Prove that for electromagnetic waves, the magnetic force is

normally much smaller than the electric force.

Problem 2: Prove that E and B are perpendicular to each other in a
light wave.

Problem 3: Find out the magnetic field direction in a light wave.

Problem 4: Find out the solution for the wave equation.

Problem 5: Using Maxwell’s equations, prove that the electromagnetic

waves are transverse in nature
Problem 6: Prove that     V   V    2 V
Here V is the vector field.
 Solution to problem 1
 
The force on a charge, q, is:
Felectrical Fmagnetic

    where v is the
F  q E  q v  B charge velocity
Taking the ratio of
Fmagnetic  
the magnitudes qv B v  B  v Bsin 
of the two forces: 
Felectrical qE  vB


Since B = E/c: Fmagnetic v


Felectrical c

So as long as a charge’s velocity is much less than the speed of light, we can
neglect the light’s magnetic force compared to its electric force.
Solution to problem 2
 Solution to problem 3

Suppose a wave propagates in the x-direction and has its electric field along the y-
direction [so Ex = Ez= 0, and Ey = Ey(x,t)].

What is the direction of the magnetic field?

    E E


 B   E   Ez  y , Ex  Ez , y  Ex 


Use:
t  y z z x x y 
  

  E 
So:  B   0,0, y 
t  x 
  

In other words: E
 Bz  y
t x

And the magnetic field points in the z-direction.

 Solution to problem 4

Please find the attached reference book.

Start from Eq. 2.26 and end at Eq. 2.38.

 Solution to problem 5
Suppose a wave propagates in the x-direction. Then it’s a function of x and t
(and not y or z), so all y- and z-derivatives are zero:

E y Ez By Bz

   0
y z y z
Now, in a charge-free medium,
. E  0 . B  0
that is,
Ex  E y  Ez 0 Bx  By  Bz 0
x y z x y z

Substituting the zero Ex 0 and Bx 0

values, we have: x x

So the longitudinal fields are at most constant, and not waves.

Solution to
problem 6