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 - Questions - Page 1000: 1b

Answer

The electric field oscillates parallel to the x axis.

Work Step by Step

In part (a), we found that the wave moves in the +z direction. The direction of an electromagnetic wave is determined by the cross-product: $E \times B$ Since the magnetic field oscillates parallel to the y axis, then the electric field must oscillate parallel to the x axis.
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