The electromagnetic wave of the radiation field from a wire antenna travels toward the plane of your paper (which is in the -z direction). At time t = 0 s, the wave strikes your paper at normal incidence. The magnetic field vector at point O in the figure points in the -y direction and has a magnitude of 4.0 × 10 - 8 T. The frequency of the wave is 1.0 × 10 16 Hz.
-What is the direction of polarization of this electromagnetic wave?
A)the x direction
B)the y direction
C)the z direction
D)45° with respect to the x direction
E)the wave is not polarized

Question

The electromagnetic wave of the radiation field from a wire antenna travels toward the plane of your paper (which is in the -z direction). At time t = 0 s, the wave strikes your paper at normal incidence. The magnetic field vector at point O in the figure points in the -y direction and has a magnitude of 4.0 × 10 - 8 T. The frequency of the wave is 1.0 × 10 16 Hz. 
-What is the direction of polarization of this electromagnetic wave?
A)the x direction 
B)the y direction 
C)the z direction 
D)45° with respect to the x direction 
E)the wave is not polarized

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The direction of polarization is the direction of the electric field vector. In this case, the electric field vector is in the x direction, so the direction of polarization is the x direction.

The Electromagnetic Wave of the Radiation Field from a Wire