I keep getting “Transverse nature” questions wrong in Electromagnetic Waves. What's the trap?
drawing E or B along the direction of travel.
The usual trap: drawing E or B along the direction of travel. How to avoid it: E, B and travel direction form three mutually perpendicular axes. Go back to the definition — In a plane electromagnetic wave, electric field E and magnetic field B are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of propagation. Their cross-product direction E x B points along energy flow.
Key point
Transverse nature
Common mistake
drawing E or B along the direction of travel.
Memory tip
E, B and travel direction form three mutually perpendicular axes.
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