🏫 Board🧲 Physics

Electromagnetic Waves

50 Board Physics previous year questions on Electromagnetic Waves — free to practice, unlock the correct answer & explanation with Premium.

Q1

Electromagnetic waves with wavelength 10 nm are called :

a

Infrared waves

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

Gamma rays

d

X-rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q2

A plane electromagnetic wave of frequency 20 MHz travels in free space along the +x direction. At a particular point in space and time, the electric field vector of the wave is Ey=9.3Vm-1. Then, the magnetic field vector of the wave at that point is

a

Bz=1.55×10-8 T

b

Bz=9.3×10-8 T

c

Bz=3.1×10-8 T

d

Bz=6.2×10-8 T

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q3

Match List-I with List-II :

List-I List-II
(A) Infra-red rays (I) < 10–3 nm
(B) Ultraviolet rays (II) 400 nm to 100 nm
(C) X-rays (III) 1 mm to 700 nm
(D) Gamma rays (IV) 1 nm to 10–3 nm

Choose the correct answer from the options give below:

a

(A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)

b

(A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

c

(A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)

d

(A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q4

The electromagnetic waves used in radar systems are :

a

Infrared waves

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

Microwaves

d

X-rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q5

In the four regions, I, II, III and IV, the electric fields are described as :

Region I : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \sin ( kz -\omega t )\)
Region II : \(E _{ x }= E _0\)
Region III : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \sin kz\)
Region IV : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \cos kz\)
The displacement current will exist in the region :

a

I

b

IV

c

II

d

III

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q6

In the four regions, I, II, III and IV, the electric fields are described as :

Region I : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \sin ( kz -\omega t )\)
Region II : \(E _{ x }= E _0\)
Region III : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \sin kz\)
Region IV : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \cos kz\)
The displacement current will exist in the region :

a

I

b

IV

c

II

d

III

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q7

Arrange the following in order of decreasing wavelength.

a: Microwave b: Ultraviolet

c: Infrared d: X-rays

(Shift II memory based)

a

a > b > c >d

b

d > c > b > a

c

a > c > b > d

d

c > a > b > d

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q8

Electromagnetic waves with wavelength 10 nm are called :

a

Infrared waves

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

Gamma rays

d

X-rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q9

Arrange the following in the ascending order of wavelength (λ) :
(A) Microwaves λ1
(B) Ultraviolet rays λ2
(C) Infrared rays λ3
(D) X-rays λ4

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

a

λ4<λ3<λ1<λ2

b

λ4<λ3<λ2<λ1

c

λ4<λ2<λ3<λ1

d

λ3<λ4<λ2<λ1

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q10

Match List-I with List-II :

List-I List-II
(A) Infra-red rays (I) < 10–3 nm
(B) Ultraviolet rays (II) 400 nm to 100 nm
(C) X-rays (III) 1 mm to 700 nm
(D) Gamma rays (IV) 1 nm to 10–3 nm

Choose the correct answer from the options give below:

a

(A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)

b

(A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

c

(A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)

d

(A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q11

The phase difference between electric field \(\vec{E}\) and magnetic field \(\vec{B}\) in an electromagnetic wave propagating along z -axis is -

a

zero

b

\(\pi\)

c

\(\frac{\pi}{2}\)

d

\(\frac{\pi}{4}\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q12

The phase difference between electric field \(\vec{E}\) and magnetic field \(\vec{B}\) in an electromagnetic wave propagating along z -axis is -

a

zero

b

\(\pi\)

c

\(\frac{\pi}{2}\)

d

\(\frac{\pi}{4}\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q13

The first scientist who produced and observed electromagnetic waves of wavelengths in the range 25 mm-5 mm was :

a

J.C. Maxwell

b

H.R. Hertz

c

J.C. Bose

d

G. Marconi

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q14

In the four regions, I, II, III and IV, the electric fields are described as :

Region I : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \sin ( kz -\omega t )\)
Region II : \(E _{ x }= E _0\)
Region III : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \sin kz\)
Region IV : \(E _{ x }= E _0 \cos kz\)
The displacement current will exist in the region :

a

I

b

IV

c

II

d

III

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q15

Electromagnetic waves with wavelength 10 nm are called :

a

Infrared waves

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

Gamma rays

d

X-rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q16

Due to presence of an em-wave whose electric component is given by E = 100 sin(ωt-kx) NC-1, a cylinder of length 200 cm holds certain amount of em-energy inside it. If another cylinder of same length but half diameter than previous one holds same amount of em-energy, the magnitude of the electric field of the corresponding em-wave should be modified as

a

\begin{equation}
25 \sin (\omega t-k x) N C^{-1}
\end{equation}

b

\begin{equation}
50 \sin (\omega t-k x) N C^{-1}
\end{equation}

c

\begin{equation}
400 \sin (\omega t-k x) N C^{-1}
\end{equation}

d

\begin{equation}
200 \sin (\omega \mathrm{t}-\mathrm{kx}) \mathrm{NC}^{-1}
\end{equation}

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q17

The electromagnetic waves used to purify water are

a

Infrared rays

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

X-rays

d

Gamma rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q18

Arrange the following in the ascending order of wavelength (λ) :
(A) Microwaves λ1
(B) Ultraviolet rays λ2
(C) Infrared rays λ3
(D) X-rays λ4

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

a

λ4<λ3<λ1<λ2

b

λ4<λ3<λ2<λ1

c

λ4<λ2<λ3<λ1

d

λ3<λ4<λ2<λ1

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q19

The electric field of an electromagnetic wave in free space is

E=57cos7.5×106t-5×10-3(3x+4y)(4i^-3j^)N/C.

The associated magnetic field in Tesla is

[JEE Main 2025, 23 Jan (Shift 1)]

a

B=-573×108cos7.5×106t-5×10-3(3x+4y)(k^)

b

B=573×108cos7.5×106t-5×10-3(3x+4y)(5k^)

c

B=-573×108cos7.5×106t-5×10-3(3x+4y)(5k)

d

B=573×108cos7.5×106t-5×10-3(3x+4y)(k^)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q20

Which one of the following has the highest frequency?

a

Infrared rays

b

Gamma rays

c

Radio waves

d

Microwaves

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q21

The value of E0 is 9.3 V/m and c is 3 × 108 m/s. Find the value of B0.

(Shift - II Memory Based)

a

1

b

2×10-8

c

4

d

3.1×10-8

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q22

Which one of the following has the highest frequency?

a

Infrared rays

b

Gamma rays

c

Radio waves

d

Microwaves

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q23

Which one of the following correctly represents the change in wave characteristics (all in vacuum) from microwaves to X-rays in electromagnetic spectrum?

a

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Decreases
Frequency- Remains same

b

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Decreases
Frequency- Increases

c

Speed- Increases
Wavelength- Increases
Frequency- Decreases

d

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Increases
Frequency- Remains same

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q24

The electromagnetic waves used to purify water are

a

Infrared rays

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

X-rays

d

Gamma rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q25

Due to presence of an em-wave whose electric component is given by E = 100 sin(ωt-kx) NC-1, a cylinder of length 200 cm holds certain amount of em-energy inside it. If another cylinder of same length but half diameter than previous one holds same amount of em-energy, the magnitude of the electric field of the corresponding em-wave should be modified as

a

\begin{equation}
25 \sin (\omega t-k x) N C^{-1}
\end{equation}

b

\begin{equation}
50 \sin (\omega t-k x) N C^{-1}
\end{equation}

c

\begin{equation}
400 \sin (\omega t-k x) N C^{-1}
\end{equation}

d

\begin{equation}
200 \sin (\omega \mathrm{t}-\mathrm{kx}) \mathrm{NC}^{-1}
\end{equation}

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q26

The first scientist who produced and observed electromagnetic waves of wavelengths in the range 25 mm-5 mm was :

a

J.C. Maxwell

b

H.R. Hertz

c

J.C. Bose

d

G. Marconi

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q27

The first scientist who produced and observed electromagnetic waves of wavelengths in the range 25 mm-5 mm was :

a

J.C. Maxwell

b

H.R. Hertz

c

J.C. Bose

d

G. Marconi

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q28

A parallel plate capacitor has a total plate area of 16cm216 \, \text{cm}^2 and a distance of 10cm10 \, \text{cm} between the plates. This capacitor is connected to an AC source, and at a given instant, the current in the circuit is 6A6 \, \text{A}. Assuming a smaller region of area 3.2cm23.2 \, \text{cm}^2 lies between and parallel to the plates, what is the displacement current in this region?

(Shift II Memory Based)

a

0.6A0.6 \, \text{A}

b

1.2A1.2 \, \text{A}

c

2.4A2.4 \, \text{A}

d

3.6A3.6 \, \text{A}

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q29

The electromagnetic waves used to purify water are

a

Infrared rays

b

Ultraviolet rays

c

X-rays

d

Gamma rays

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q30

Which one of the following correctly represents the change in wave characteristics (all in vacuum) from microwaves to X-rays in electromagnetic spectrum?

a

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Decreases
Frequency- Remains same

b

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Decreases
Frequency- Increases

c

Speed- Increases
Wavelength- Increases
Frequency- Decreases

d

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Increases
Frequency- Remains same

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q31

In an electromagnetic wave, the magnetic field is given as \(\vec{B}=\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{\imath}+\frac{1}{2} \hat{\jmath}\right) 30 \sin (\omega t-k z)\), the corresponding electric field is

(Shift - II Memory Based)

a

\(\left(\frac{1}{2} \hat{\imath}+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{\jmath}\right) 9 \times 10^9 \sin (\omega t-k z)\)

b

\(\left(\frac{1}{2} \hat{\imath}-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{\jmath}\right) 9 \times 10^9 \sin (\omega t-k z)\)

c

\(\left(\frac{1}{2} \hat{\imath}+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{\jmath}\right) 9 \times 10^9 \cos (\omega t-k z)\)

d

\(\left(\frac{1}{2} \hat{\imath}-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{\jmath}\right) 9 \times 10^9 \cos (\omega t-k z)\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q32

Which one of the following has the highest frequency?

a

Infrared rays

b

Gamma rays

c

Radio waves

d

Microwaves

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q33

The phase difference between electric field \(\vec{E}\) and magnetic field \(\vec{B}\) in an electromagnetic wave propagating along z -axis is -

a

zero

b

\(\pi\)

c

\(\frac{\pi}{2}\)

d

\(\frac{\pi}{4}\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q34

Find the equation of the magnetic field for the given equation of the electric field (for an EM wave): E=E0(4i^3j^)cos(ωtkz).

(Shift I Memory Based)

a

B=E0c(3i^+4j^)cos(ωtkz)

b

B=E0c(3i^4j^)cos(ωtkz)

c

B=E0c(3i^4j^)sin(ωtkz)

d

B=E0c(3i^4j^)sin(ωtkz)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q35

In the given electromagnetic wave \(E _{ y }=600 \sin (\omega t - kx ) Vm ^{-1}\), intensity of the associated light beam is (in \(W / m ^2:\left(\right.\) Given \(\left.\epsilon_0=9 \times 10^{-12} C ^2 N ^{-1} m ^{-2}\right)\)

a

729

b

243

c

486

d

720

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q36

The electric field E associated with an electromagnetic wave is represented by

Ey=E0sin(kx-ωt)

Which of the following statements is correct?

a

The wave is propagating along +x-axis.

b

The wave is propagating along +z-axis.

c

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along +y-axis.

d

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along -x -axis.

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q37

Electromagnetic waves travel in a medium with speed of 1.5×108 m s-1. The relative permeability of the medium is 2.0 . The relative permittivity will be:

a

2

b

1

c

5

d

4

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q38

The electric field E associated with an electromagnetic wave is represented by

Ey=E0sin(kx-ωt)

Which of the following statements is correct?

a

The wave is propagating along +x-axis.

b

The wave is propagating along +z-axis.

c

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along +y-axis.

d

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along -x -axis.

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q39

Which one of the following has the highest frequency?

a

Infrared rays

b

Gamma rays

c

Radio waves

d

Microwaves

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q40

Match List-I with List-II :

List-I List-II
(A) Infra-red rays (I) < 10–3 nm
(B) Ultraviolet rays (II) 400 nm to 100 nm
(C) X-rays (III) 1 mm to 700 nm
(D) Gamma rays (IV) 1 nm to 10–3 nm

Choose the correct answer from the options give below:

[JEE Main 2024, 05 Apr (Shift 2)]

a

(A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)

b

(A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

c

(A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)

d

(A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q41

In the given electromagnetic wave \(E _{ y }=600 \sin (\omega t - kx ) Vm ^{-1}\), intensity of the associated light beam is (in \(W / m ^2:\left(\right.\) Given \(\left.\epsilon_0=9 \times 10^{-12} C ^2 N ^{-1} m ^{-2}\right)\)

[JEE Main 2024, 6 Apr (Shift 2)]

a

729

b

243

c

486

d

720

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q42

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Electromagnetic waves carry energy but not momentum.
Reason (R): Mass of a photon is zero.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

[JEE Main 2025, 29 Jan (Shift 1)]

a

(A) is true but (R) is false

b

(A) is false but (R) is true

c

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

d

Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q43

An electromagnetic wave propagates in the +X -direction. Then, the electric field and magnetic field are directed along

a

X, Y

b

Z, Y

c

Y, Z

d

Y, X

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q44

The electric field E associated with an electromagnetic wave is represented by

Ey=E0sin(kx-ωt)

Which of the following statements is correct?

a

The wave is propagating along +x-axis.

b

The wave is propagating along +z-axis.

c

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along +y-axis.

d

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along -x -axis.

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q45

The energy associated with a cylindrical region due to an EM wave \(E=100 \sin (k x-\omega t)\) is \(u_0\). Find the equation of EM wave for which a cylinder of same length and half the diameter (as previous one) contains same energy \(u_0\).(Shift - I Memory Based)

a

\(200 \sin (k x-\omega t)\)

b

\(25 \sin (\omega t-k x)\)

c

\(50 \sin (k x-\omega t)\)

d

\(400 \sin (\omega t-k x)\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q46

The energy associated with a cylindrical region due to an EM wave \(E=100 \sin (k x-\omega t)\) is \(u_0\). Find the equation of EM wave for which a cylinder of same length and half the diameter (as previous one) contains same energy \(u_0\).(Shift - I Memory Based)

a

\(200 \sin (k x-\omega t)\)

b

\(25 \sin (\omega t-k x)\)

c

\(50 \sin (k x-\omega t)\)

d

\(400 \sin (\omega t-k x)\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q47

Which one of the following correctly represents the change in wave characteristics (all in vacuum) from microwaves to X-rays in electromagnetic spectrum?

a

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Decreases
Frequency- Remains same

b

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Decreases
Frequency- Increases

c

Speed- Increases
Wavelength- Increases
Frequency- Decreases

d

Speed- Remains same
Wavelength- Increases
Frequency- Remains same

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q48

Match List-I with List-II :

List-I List-II
(A) Infra-red rays (I) < 10–3 nm
(B) Ultraviolet rays (II) 400 nm to 100 nm
(C) X-rays (III) 1 mm to 700 nm
(D) Gamma rays (IV) 1 nm to 10–3 nm

Choose the correct answer from the options give below:

a

(A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)

b

(A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

c

(A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)

d

(A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q49

The electric field E associated with an electromagnetic wave is represented by

Ey=E0sin(kx-ωt)

Which of the following statements is correct?

a

The wave is propagating along +x-axis.

b

The wave is propagating along +z-axis.

c

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along +y-axis.

d

The magnetic field B of the wave is acting along -x -axis.

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149
Q50

An electromagnetic wave propagates in the +X -direction. Then, the electric field and magnetic field are directed along

a

X, Y

b

Z, Y

c

Y, Z

d

Y, X

🔒
Answer & explanation — Premium

Unlock this and thousands more solved PYQs.

Unlock · ₹149

Practice more Board Physics PYQs

Browse every Physics chapter, or explore the full Board question bank.

🧲 All Physics chapters →