GATE EC 2023 Set 1 — Question 53
Go beyond PYQs with Success TrackerAI-powered personalised practice and doubt support. Unlimited practice on eligible plans; AI usage limits apply.MSQ+2 / -0HardPolarization (Linear, Circular, Elliptical)Plane WavesElectromagnetics
Electromagnetics → Plane Waves → Polarization (Linear, Circular, Elliptical)
Last updated
Question
The electric field of a plane electromagnetic wave is Which of the following combination(s) will give rise to a left handed elliptically polarized (LHEP) wave?
Correct answer
(A) C₁ₓ = 1, C_(1y) = 1, θ = π/4; (B) C₁ₓ = 2, C_(1y) = 1, θ = π/2; (D) C₁ₓ = 2, C_(1y) = 1, θ = 3π/4
Solution
The wave propagates in the direction. For a left-handed (LH) wave, the rotation of the electric field vector must be clockwise when looking in the direction of propagation (). This occurs when the -component leads the -component, which corresponds to .Elliptical polarization occurs if the wave is not circular (i.e., or when ).
- (A) is in , so it is LH. Since , it is LHEP.
- (B) is in , so it is LH. Since , it is LHEP.
- (C) is equivalent to , which is outside , making it a right-handed (RH) wave.
- (D) is in , so it is LH. Since and , it is LHEP.
Continue learning with Success Tracker
A step still unclear? Work through it with support
Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE EC question to check your understanding.
AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans
- PYQs with solutions
- Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
- Practice that adapts
- Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
- AI doubt support
- Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.
Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.
This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.
More questions on Plane Waves
2026 Set 1 Q21Consider the Friis' transmission equation , where…2026 Set 1 Q24The electric field of a monochromatic plane wave travelling in a lossless isotropic and homogenous…2026 Set 1 Q28Which option(s) represents/ represent the dielectric loss tangent of a substrate?2026 Set 1 Q33The cutoff frequency (in GHz) for the dominant mode of an air-filled rectangular…2026 Set 1 Q34For a lossless passive two-port network, and intersect at -3 dB. For a lossy…