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A plane electromagnetic wave propagates along the +x direction in free space. The components of the electric field E and magnetic field B vectors associated with the wave in Cartesian frame are

Asked in JEE Main 29th Jan 2nd Shift 2025 · Direction from E cross B, and oblique propagation

Answer: (3) E_y, B_z

Step-by-step solution

Both E and B must be transverse, so neither may have an x-component

Ê × B̂ must give +ı̂; ȷ̂ × k̂ = ı̂

So E lies along y and B along z

Why the other options are wrong

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