GATE EC 2015 Set 2 — Question 65
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Electromagnetics → Plane Waves → Polarization (Linear, Circular, Elliptical)
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Question
The electric field of a plane wave propagating in a lossless non-magnetic medium is given by the following expressionThe type of the polarization is
Correct answer
(B) Left Hand Elliptical
Solution
Write the field at a fixed plane, say , with rad/s:
- Shape: the components are in phase quadrature with unequal amplitudes (), so the tip of traces an ellipse. This rules out (A) circular and (D) linear.
- Direction of travel: the phase means the wave travels in the direction.
- Sense of rotation: at , ; at , . So rotates from towards . Curling the fingers of the right hand from to puts the thumb along , which is opposite to the direction of propagation (). The rotation therefore follows the left-hand rule with respect to the propagation direction (thumb of the left hand along ).
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