NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves: Key Topics, Question with Solutions PDF

Physics Ncert Solutions Class 12th 2023

Pallavi Pathak
Updated on Jul 3, 2025 17:33 IST

By Pallavi Pathak, Assistant Manager Content

Electromagnetic Waves Class 12 introduces the revolutionary idea proposed by James Clerk Maxwell. It says that in a similar manner, how the changing magnetic field induces an electric field, the changing electric field produces a magnetic field. The mutual interaction gives rise to the electromagnetic waves. These waves can travel through space without any medium. 
The chapter also explores the electromagnetic spectrum, and how different EM waves vary in frequency and wavelength, and how they are used in medicine, communication, industry, and everyday life. The NCERT solution of Chapter 8 Class 12 Physics, offers a comprehensive study material for EM waves.

Table of content
  • Insight into Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves
  • Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves: Key Topics, and Weightage
  • Class 12 Chapter Electromagnetic Waves NCERT Solution PDF: Download PDF for Free
  • Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves Important Formulas & Concepts
  • Electromagnetic Waves Questions and Answers
  • Benefits of Using NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 8
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Insight into Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves

Here is an outline of the Class 12 Physics Chapter 8:

  • Chapter 8 introduces students to Maxwell’s unification of electricity and magnetism, light identified as an EM wave, and the prediction of electromagnetic (EM) waves and their speed.
  • The Displacement Current concept was introduced to correct Ampere’s Law. It leads to symmetric treatment of electric and magnetic fields. The concept says that the time-varying electric fields produce magnetic fields.
  • The students will learn about the electromagnetic waves that can propagate in a vacuum and carry energy and momentum. It is generated by accelerating charges. The Electric and magnetic fields oscillate in the direction of wave travel and perpendicular to each other.
  • The chapter talks about the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the classification based on the wavelength/frequency of microwaves, radio waves, visible light, infrared, X-rays, ultraviolet, and gamma rays.

Related Links

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 12th Chapter Eight

NCERT Solutions Class 11 and 12 for Maths, Physics, Chemistry

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 6 Electromagnetic Induction

Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 - Moving Charges and Magnetism NCERT Solutions

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Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves: Key Topics, and Weightage

Ch 8 Electromagnetic Waves in Class 12 Physics is an important chapter for the CBSE Board exam and other competitive exams. Electromagnetic waves play a significant role in various real-life applications, including medical imaging, communication systems, and modern technology.

See below the topics covered in this chapter:

Exercise Topics Covered
8.1 Introduction To Electromagnetic Waves
8.2 Displacement Current
8.3 Electromagnetic Waves
8.4 Electromagnetic Spectrum

Key Topics in Electromagnetic Waves

If you are preparing for competitive exams like JEE or NEET and board examsh must go through the following topics. 

  • Displacement Current
  • Maxwell’s Equations
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Speed of Electromagnetic Waves
  • Energy and Momentum in Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Waves Weightage in JEE Main, NEET Exams

Exam Name Percentage
NEET 1%
JEE Main 3.3%

 

Try these practice questions

Q1:

Match List – I with List – II:

List – I List – II

(A) UV rays (i) Diagnostic tool in medicine

(B) X-rays(ii) Water purification

(C) Microwave(iii) Communication, Radar

(D) Infrared wave(iv) Improving visibility in foggy daya

Choose the correct answer

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Q2:

A radar sends an electromagnetic single of electric (E0) = 2.25 V/m  and magnetic field (B0) = 1.5 × 10-8 T which strikes a target on line of sight at a distance of 3km in a medium. After that, a part of signal (echo) reflects back towards the r

View Full Question

Q3:

A plane electromagnetic wave travels in a medium of relative permeability 1.61 and relative permittivity 6.44. If magnitude of magnetic intensity is 4.5 × 10-2 Am-1 at a point, what will be the approximate magnitude of electric field intensity at tha

View Full Question

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Class 12 Chapter Electromagnetic Waves NCERT Solution PDF: Download PDF for Free

Find below the link to the Class 12 Physics Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves PDF. The students should download it to get solutions to all the questions given in the NCERT textbook Electromagnetic Waves.

Class 12 Alternating Current Chapter NCERT Solution PDF: Download Free PDF 

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Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves Important Formulas & Concepts

Refer to the table below for important formulas and concepts of Class 12 Chapter 8 Electromagnetic Waves:

Concept Key Points Formula(s)
Electromagnetic (EM) Waves Transverse waves with electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other. -
Speed of EM Waves in Vacuum EM waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum. c = 1 μ 0 ε 0 3 × 10 8 m/s c = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\mu_0 \varepsilon_0}} \approx 3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s}
Electric & Magnetic Field Relationship E B k \vec{E} \perp \vec{B} \perp \vec{k} (direction of wave propagation). E 0 B 0 = c \frac{E_0}{B_0} = c
Electromagnetic Spectrum Range of all types of EM radiation arranged by frequency or wavelength. - (Includes Radio, Microwaves, IR, Visible, UV, X-rays, Gamma rays)
Energy Density of EM Wave Total energy per unit volume is the sum of electric and magnetic energy densities. u = ε 0 E 2 = B 2 μ 0 u = \varepsilon_0 E^2 = \frac{B^2}{\mu_0} (total: u = ε 0 E 2 + B 2 μ 0 u = \varepsilon_0 E^2 + \frac{B^2}{\mu_0} )
Poynting Vector Represents power per unit area (energy flow direction of EM wave). S = 1 μ 0 ( E × B ) \vec{S} = \frac{1}{\mu_0} (\vec{E} \times \vec{B})
Intensity of EM Wave Average power transmitted per unit area. I = S = 1 2 ε 0 c E 0 2 I = \langle S \rangle = \frac{1}{2} \varepsilon_0 c E_0^2
Source of EM Waves Accelerating charges or time-varying electric/magnetic fields. -
Polarization EM waves can be polarized; only electric field component is considered for polarization. -
Maxwell’s Equations (Conceptual Basis) Basis for understanding EM wave propagation; involve E \vec{E} , B \vec{B} , J \vec{J} , and ρ \rho . Not explicitly in NCERT, but implied through E = ρ ε 0 \nabla \cdot \vec{E} = \frac{\rho}{\varepsilon_0} , etc.
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Electromagnetic Waves Questions and Answers

Q.8.1 Figure 8.6 shows a capacitor made of two circular plates each of radius 12 cm, and separated by 5.0 cm. The capacitor is being charged by an external source (not shown in the figure). The charging current is constant and equal to 0.15A.

(a) Calculate the capacitance and the rate of change of potential difference between the plates.

(b) Obtain the displacement current across the plates.

(c) Is Kirchhoff’s first rule (junction rule) valid at each plate of the capacitor? Explain.

Ans.8.1 Radius of the each circular plate, r = 12 cm = 0.12

Distance between the plates, d = 5 cm = 0.05 m

Charging current, I = 0.15 A

Permittivity of free space, ϵ 0 = 8.85 × 10 - 12 C 2 N - 1 m - 2

Capacitance between two plates is given by the relation,

C = ϵ 0 A d  , where A = Area of each plate = π r 2 = π × 0.12 2

C = 8.85 × 10 - 12 × π × 0.12 2 0.05  = 8.007 × 10 - 12

F

Charge on each plate, q = CV, where V = potential difference across plates

Differentiating both sides w.r.t. t, we get

d q d t = C  d V d t

But d q d t  = I, therefore

d V d t = I C  = 0.15 8.007 × 10 - 12  = 1.87 × 10 10  V/s

T h e r e f o r e , t h e c h a n g e i n p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e p l a t e s i s 1.87 × 10 10 V/s

The displacement current across the plates is the same as the conduction current. Hence the displacement current is 0.15 A

Kirchhoff’s first rule is valid at each plate of the capacitor provided that we take the sum of conduction and displacement for current.

Q.8.2 A parallel plate capacitor (Fig. 8.7) made of circular plates each of radius R = 6.0 cm has a capacitance C = 100 pF. The capacitor is connected to a 230 V ac supply with a (angular) frequency of 300 rad s–1.

(a) What is the rms value of the conduction current?

(b) Is the conduction current equal to the displacement current?

(c) Determine the amplitude of B at a point 3.0 cm from the axis between the plates.

Ans. 8.2 Radius of each circular plate, R = 6.0 cm = 0.06 m

Capacitance of parallel capacitor, C = 100 pF = 100  × 10 - 12  F

Supply voltage, V = 230 V

Angular frequency,  ω  = 300 rad/s

rms value of the conduction current, I =  V X c , where X c = c a p a c i t i v e r e a c t a n c e = 1 ω C

Hence, I = V  × ω × C  = 230  × 300 ×  100  × 10 - 12  = 6.9  × 10 - 6  A = 6.9 μ A

Yes, the conduction current is equal to the displacement current.

Magnetic field is given as, B =  μ 0 r 2 π R 2 I 0  , where

μ 0  = Free space permeability = 4  π × 10 - 7  N  A - 2

I 0  = Maximum value of current =  2 I

r = distance between two plates on the axis = 3.0 cm = 0.03 m

then, B =  4 π × 10 - 7 × 0.03 2 π × 0.06 2   × 2 ×  6.9  × 10 - 6  = 1.626  × 10 - 11  T

Q.8.3 What physical quantity is the same for X-rays of wavelength 10–10 m, red light of wavelength 6800 Å and radio waves of wavelength 500m?
Ans.8.3 The speed of light (3  × 10 8  m/s) in a vacuum is the same for all wavelengths. It is independent of the wavelength in the vacuum.
Q.8.4 A plane electromagnetic wave travels in vacuum along z-direction. What can you say about the directions of its electric and magnetic field vectors? If the frequency of the wave is 30 MHz, what is its wavelength?

Ans.8.4 The electromagnetic wave travels in a vacuum along the z- direction. The electric field (E) and the magnetic field (H) are in the x-y plane. They are mutually perpendicular.

Frequency of the wave,  ν  = 30 MHz = 30  × 10 6  /s

Speed of light in vacuum, c = 3  × 10 8  m/s

Wavelength of a wave is given as

λ = c ν  =  3 × 10 8 30 × 10 6  = 10 m

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:  

8.7 The amplitude of the magnetic field part of a harmonic electromagnetic wave in vacuum is B0 = 510 nT. What is the amplitude of the electric field part of the wave?

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Q:  

8.5 A radio can tune in to any station in the 7.5 MHz to 12 MHz band. What is the corresponding wavelength band?

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Q:  

8.6 A charged particle oscillates about its mean equilibrium position with a frequency of 109 Hz. What is the frequency of the electromagnetic waves produced by the oscillator?

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Q:  

8.8 Suppose that the electric field amplitude of an electromagnetic wave is E0 = 120 N/C and that its frequency is ν = 50.0 MHz

(a) Determine, B0ω , k, and λ .

(b) Find expressions for E and B.

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Q:  

8.9 The terminology of different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum is given in the text. Use the formula E = h ν (for energy of a quantum of radiation: photon) and obtain the photon energy in units of eV for different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. In what way are the different scales of photon energies that you obtain related to the sources of electromagnetic radiation?

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Q:  

8.10 In a plane electromagnetic wave, the electric field oscillates sinusoidally at a frequency of 2.0 × 1010 Hz and amplitude 48 V m–1.

(a) What is the wavelength of the wave?

(b) What is the amplitude of the oscillating magnetic field?

(c) Show that the average energy density of the E field equals the average energy density of the B field. [c = 3 × 108 m s–1.]

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Q:  

8.15 Answer the following questions:

(a) Long distance radio broadcasts use short-wave bands. Why?

(b) It is necessary to use satellites for long distance TV transmission. Why?

(c) Optical and radiotelescopes are built on the ground but X-ray astronomy is possible only from satellites orbiting the earth. Why?

(d) The small ozone layer on top of the stratosphere is crucial for human survival. Why?

(e) If the earth did not have an atmosphere, would its average surface temperature be higher or lower than what it is now?

(f) Some scientists have predicted that a global nuclear war on the earth would be followed by a severe ‘nuclear winter’ with a devastating effect on life on earth. What might be the basis of this prediction?

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Q:  

8.13 Use the formula λ m T = 0.29 cmK 

to obtain the characteristic temperature ranges for different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. What do the numbers that you obtain tell you?

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Q:  

8.1 Figure 8.6 shows a capacitor made of two circular plates each of radius 12 cm, and separated by 5.0 cm. The capacitor is being charged by an external source (not shown in the figure). The charging current is constant and equal to 0.15A.

(a) Calculate the capacitance and the rate of change of potential difference between the plates.

(b) Obtain the displacement current across the plates.

(c) Is Kirchhoff’s first rule (junction rule) valid at each plate of the capacitor? Explain.

Read more
Q:  

8.2 A parallel plate capacitor (Fig. 8.7) made of circular plates each of radius R = 6.0 cm has a capacitance C = 100 pF. The capacitor is connected to a 230 V ac supply with a (angular) frequency of 300 rad s–1.

(a) What is the rms value of the conduction current?

(b) Is the conduction current equal to the displacement current?

(c) Determine the amplitude of B at a point 3.0 cm from the axis between the plates.

Read more
Q:  

8.3 What physical quantity is the same for X-rays of wavelength 10–10 m, red light of wavelength 6800 Å and radio waves of wavelength 500m?

Read more
Q:  

8.4 A plane electromagnetic wave travels in vacuum along z-direction. What can you say about the directions of its electric and magnetic field vectors? If the frequency of the wave is 30 MHz, what is its wavelength?

Read more
Q:  

8.12 About 5% of the power of a 100 W light bulb is converted to visible radiation. What is the average intensity of visible radiation?

(a) At a distance of 1m from the bulb?

(b) At a distance of 10 m?

Assume that the radiation is emitted isotropically and neglect reflection.

Read more
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Benefits of Using NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 8

The students can entirely rely on the Shiksha's NCERT solutions for all chapters of Class 12 Physics, as these are created by the subject matter experts. The solutions are based on the CBSE syllabus and according to the NCERT textbook. It ensures relevance and accuracy for board exams. The Class 12 Physics Chapter 8 provides clear explanations of complex topics like Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic wave properties, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
It is ideal for exam preparations. The solutions cover all NCERT questions, additional questions, and in-text problems, making them ideal for CBSE board exam preparation and for other entrance exams like NEET and JEE exam preparation. The NCERT solutions are a great tool for self-study and self-assessment. The students can improve independently by checking their answers and identifying their mistakes. The step-by-step problem-solving approach of the NCERT solutions helps students to improve their understanding of the mathematical applications and also improve their problem-solving skills. It covers all numerical and theoretical questions of the NCERT textbook. Structured answers also help students improve their time management and their answer-writing skills. All these benefits are available in a highly accessible online resource without any cost.

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Physics Ncert Solutions Class 12th Exam

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