Practice portal › Electromagnetic Waves › Speed of EM Waves and Media

If v_γ, vₓ and vₘ are the velocities of γ-rays, X-rays and microwaves respectively in space, then

Asked in RS Academy GUJCET booklet · Speed in vacuum and in a medium

Answer: (4) v_γ = vₓ = vₘ

Step-by-step solution

Idea: Maxwell's equations fix the speed of an electromagnetic wave in vacuum from two constants of the vacuum alone, c=1/(√μ₀ε₀).

Neither μ₀ nor ε₀ depends on the frequency of the wave, so every electromagnetic wave travels at the same 3×10⁸ m s⁻¹ in space.

γ-rays, X-rays and microwaves differ enormously in wavelength and in photon energy, but not at all in speed.

So v_γ = vₓ = vₘ.

Why the other options are wrong

More Speed of EM Waves and Media questionsAll Speed of EM Waves and Media questions →

Reading this solution needs no sign-in. You only sign in to practise against the clock and keep your progress.

Practise this with a timer