Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 33 - Electromagnetic Waves - Problems - Page 1008: 81a

Answer

The light is polarized parallel to the z axis.

Work Step by Step

From the equation, we can see that the wave travels in the -y direction, and the magnetic field oscillates parallel to the x axis. The direction of an electromagnetic wave is given by $E\times B$ By the right hand rule, the electric field oscillates parallel to the z axis. Therefore, the light is polarized parallel to the z axis.
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