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Chapter 9 of 11
Important Questions

Electromagnetic waves

Tamil Nadu Board · Class 12 · Physics

Most important questions from Electromagnetic waves for Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Physics board exam 2026. MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions with marks.

45 questions25 flashcards5 concepts

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45 Questions·
multiple choice

Sample Questions

1multiple choice
1 marks

Which of Maxwell's equations is based on Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction?

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∮ E·dl = -dΦB/dt

Step 1: Maxwell's four equations correspond to four fundamental laws of electromagnetism. Step 2: The first equation ∮ E·dA = Q/ε₀ is Gauss's law for electricity. Step 3: The second equation ∮ B·dA = 0 is Gauss's law for magnetism. Step 4: The third equation ∮ E·dl = -dΦB/dt is Faraday's law — it says a changing magnetic flux induces an electric field. Step 5: The fourth equation is the Ampere-Maxwell law. So the third Maxwell equation is Faraday's law.

2multiple choice
1 marks

The formula for displacement current is id = ε₀ × (dΦE/dt). If the rate of change of electric flux is 2 × 10¹² V·m/s, what is the displacement current? (ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C²/Nm²)

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17.7 A

Step 1: Write the formula for displacement current: id = ε₀ × (dΦE/dt). Step 2: Given values: ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C²/Nm², dΦE/dt = 2 × 10¹² V·m/s. Step 3: Substitute: id = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² × 2 × 10¹². Step 4: Calculate: id = 8.85 × 2 × 10⁻¹²⁺¹² = 17.7 × 10⁰ = 17.7 A. Step 5: The option 8.85 A would result if only ε₀ was used without multiplying by 2. The option 4.425 A would result from dividing instead of multiplying.

3multiple choice
1 marks

Which of the following electromagnetic waves has the HIGHEST frequency?

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Gamma rays

Step 1: The electromagnetic spectrum is arranged in order of increasing frequency (or decreasing wavelength): Radio waves → Microwaves → Infrared → Visible → Ultraviolet → X-rays → Gamma rays. Step 2: Radio waves have frequency range of a few Hz to 10⁹ Hz. Step 3: Infrared rays have frequency range 10¹¹ Hz to 4 × 10¹⁴ Hz. Step 4: X-rays have frequency range 10¹⁷ Hz to 10¹⁹ Hz. Step 5: Gamma rays have frequencies of 10¹⁸ Hz and above — the highest in the EM spectrum. They are produced by radioactive nuclei.

4multiple choice
1 marks

The ratio of the amplitude of the electric field (E₀) to the amplitude of the magnetic field (B₀) in an electromagnetic wave in free space gives:

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Speed of the electromagnetic wave

Step 1: In an electromagnetic wave, the electric and magnetic fields oscillate simultaneously. Step 2: The relationship between the amplitudes of these fields in free space is: c = E₀/B₀. Step 3: This means the ratio E₀/B₀ = c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, the speed of light in vacuum. Step 4: In any medium, v = E₀/B₀ where v is the speed of EM wave in that medium (which is less than c). Step 5: Refractive index n = c/v, which is derived from this ratio but is not directly the ratio itself.

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What are the important topics in Electromagnetic waves for Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Electromagnetic waves include Electromagnetic Waves - Concept Overview, Electromagnetic Waves — Complete Chapter Mind Map, Electromagnetic Waves - Comprehensive Concept Map. These are the concepts Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Electromagnetic waves — Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Physics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 45 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
How many important questions are there in Electromagnetic waves?
There are 45 practice questions available for Electromagnetic waves. These cover multiple question types including MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions.

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