MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2018/2019

SECOND YEAR SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING

ECE 2225: ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES WITH SOLUTIONS

DATE: Tuesday 23rd April 2019 TIME: 2 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Answer your questions in the answer booklet provided.

2. Answer QUESTION ONE and any other two questions.

3. Useful Constants:

μ0 4 π 10 7 H/m ε0 8.854 10  12 F/m c 3 108 m/s

QUESTION ONE [30 marks] - Compulsory

a) Briefly answer the following questions

i. An amateur engineer proposes that the phasor expression for the electromagnetic
field of a TEM wave is given by

E a y 10e j  6 x  8 y  V/m

Is this claim valid or not? Explain. [2 marks]

Solution:

The claim cannot be valid since the EM wave proposed contains a component of E
along the direction of propagation hence cannot be a TEM wave. It is actually a TM
wave.

ii. Prove that Ampere’s law in the form H J is inconsistent with the equation of
continuity. [2 marks]

Page 1 of 13
 Solution:
H J
Taking the curl of both sides,
H 0 J
But from the equation of continuity,
ρ
J  0
t hence the inconsistency.
Determine whether wet marshy soil ( ε 15ε0 , μ  μ0 , σ 10 S/m ) may be
2
iii.
treated as conducting at 100 MHz. [2 marks]

Solution:

σ 10 2
 0.119  1
ωε 2 π 108 15 8.854 10 12

σ
1
For a medium to be regarded as good conductor, ωε . Hence, wet marshy soil
cannot be regarded as conducting at 100 MHz.

iv. Define plasma and explain briefly (without any mathematical derivations) how it
impacts on satellite communications. [2 marks]

Solution:

 Plasma is ionized gas with equal electron and ion density. The ionosphere
located 50-100km from earth’s surface can be regarded as consisting of
plasma formed when the gases in this layer are ionized by the ultra violet
radiation from the sun.
 There is a certain frequency known as plasma cut-off frequency, that is
dependent on ion density, below which electromagnetic waves cannot
propagate through plasma. For satellites located in the geostationary orbit
(approximately 36000 km from earth’s surface) communication can only
occur if the carrier signal frequency is greater than the plasma cut-off
frequency.

v. State Poynting theorem. [2 marks]

Solution:

 The surface integral of the Poynting vector P E H over a closed surface

equals the power leaving the enclosed volume i.e.

Page 2 of 13
 
 P ds   we  wm dv  p dv
t V
σ
S V

where,

1 1
we  ε E 2  εE E Electric energy density
2 2

1 1
wm  μ H 2  μH H Magnetic energy density
2 2

J2
2 J J 
pσ σ E  σ E E 

Ohmic power density
σ σ

b) Calculations concerning the electromagnetic effect of current in a good conductor usually

neglect displacement current even at microwave frequencies.
Assuming  R 1 and  5.7 10 S/m for copper, compare the magnitude of
7
i.
displacement current density with that of conduction current density at 100 GHz.
[2
marks]
Solution:

Jc σ E0 σ 5.7 107
   11  12
1.02 107
J d ωε0 E0 ωε0 2 π 10 8.854 10
7
Hence, conduction current is approximately 1.02 10 times greater than the
displacement current.

ii. Write down the governing differential equation for the magnetic field intensity H
in a source-free good conductor. [2 marks]

Solution:

D
H J  J  J d
In general, t

J  J J
Since d we neglect d . In source-free regions, J 0 . Hence, the equation
becomes,

H 0

Page 3 of 13
c) Define the following terms:
i. Plane of incidence. [1 mark]

Solution:
It is defined when a wave is obliquely incident at an interface. The plane of
incidence refers to the plane containing the unit vector in the direction of
propagation of the wave and the unit vector normal to the interface.

ii. Brewter angle. [1 mark]

Solution:
It is the polarizing angle of which (when light is incident) the reflected and
refracted index is equal to the tangent of the polarizing angle. In other words, the
angle of incidence of which there is no reflection.

iii. Critical angle of incidence. [1 mark]

Solution:
It is the value of θi that makes θt π / 2 .

iv. TE wave. [1 mark]

Solution:
It is an EM wave whose H has a component that is along the direction of
propagation. Only E is transverse to the direction of propagation.

A non-magnetic medium has intrinsic impedance  24030  . Determine its


d)
i. Loss tangent [2 marks]
Solution:

tan  tan 30 0.57

ii. Dielectric constant [2 marks]
Solution:
2 2
120 π  120 π   120 π 
η  εr     
1.36  j 0.79 ε  jε
εr  η   24030 
ε ε  1.36

iii. Complex permittivity [2 marks]

Page 4 of 13
 Solution:
εc ε0  1.36  j 0.79 

e) Derive Helmholtz’ equation for magnetic field H. [6 marks]

Solution:

We begin with source free Maxwell’s equations for time harmonic fields:

E  jωμH (I)

H  jωεE (II)

E 0 (III)

H 0 (IV)

From (II),

H (H )  2 H  jωε (E)

Using (I) and (IV) and rearranging,

2 H  k 2 H 0

where k ω με

QUESTION TWO [20 marks]

a) Using the continuity equation, show that the generalized Ampere’s circuital law contains
Gauss’ law. [4 marks]

Solution:
D
H J 
t
 D  D (D)
H 0  J   J   J 
 t  t t
Using the equation of continuity,
ρ (D)
J  
t t
Therefore,

Page 5 of 13
 D ρ
which is Gauss’ law

b) The electric field of an electromagnetic wave

  z 
E a x E0 cos  108 π  t    θ 
  c 

is the sum of

 z   z π
E1 a x 0.03sin108 π  t   E 2 a x 0.04 cos  108 π  t    
 c  and   c 3 .

Find E0 and θ . [5 marks]

Solution:

Using cosine reference;

π
z z π
E1 =a x 0 . 03sin 10 8 π t− ( ) c [ ( ) ] −
[ 8
=a x 0 . 03 cos 108 π t− − =Re 0 . 03 e 2 e 10 πt
c 2
]
 π
E1 ( z ) a x 0.03e 2
 j 0.03a x

  z π  jπ
E 2 a x 0.04 cos 108 π  t      E 2 ( z ) a x 0.04e 3 (0.02  j 0.0346)a x
  c 3

E1 ( z )  E2 ( z )  j 0.03  0.02  j 0.0346 0.02  j 0.0646 0.067 e  1.26

 1.26 108 π  t  cz    8  z 
E Re  0.067e a x 0.067 cos  10 π  t    1.26 
    c 

E0 0.067 and θ 1.26 rad .

c) In a non-magnetic lossless material,

H a y 30 cos  2 108 t  6 x  A/m

Find
i. The intrinsic impedance [4 marks]
Solution:

Page 6 of 13
 β ω με ω μ0 εr ε0 ω μ0 ε0 εr 6
36 36
 εr  2
 9
8.2
ω μ0 ε0 8 2 10 7
(2 π 10 )  4 π 10
36 π

Hence, ε 1.37 ε0 .

μ μ0 120 π
η   131.6 Ω
ε 8.2ε0 8.2

ii. The phasor and instantaneous expressions for E. [4 marks]

Solution:
E  ηan H
E( x)  131.6a x a y 30e  j 6 x  a z 3948e j 6 x V/m
E( x, t )  a z 3948cos 2 π 108 t  6 x V/m
 
iii. The average power density at x 1m [3 marks]
Solution:
1 1
 
Pav  Re E H   (3.95)(0.03) 0.059a x W/m 2
2 2

QUESTION THREE [20 marks]

a) Distinguish between intrinsic impedance and wave impedance. Under what condition are
the two impedances equal? [3 marks]
Solution:

μ
η
 ε
Total E
ZW 
 Total H

 ZW equals η when the wave is propagating in an unbounded

homogeneous medium i.e. when there are no reflections.

b) The skin depth of graphite is given as 0.16 mm at 100 MHz. Determine

i. The conductivity of graphite. [4 marks]

Page 7 of 13
 Solution:

1 1 1
δ  σ 2
α π f μσ δ πfμ
1
 4 2 5 7
1.58 104 S/m
(1.6 10 ) π 10 4 π 10

ii. The distance that a 1 GHz wave travels in graphite such that its field intensity is
reduced by 20 dB. [5 marks]

Solution:

Let the magnitude of the field on the surface be E0 , and the magnitude of the field
after propagating inside the material be E1 .
E0 E
30 20 log  log 0 1.5
E1 E1

or
E0 E
101.5 31.62  E1  0
E1 31.62

E1 E ( z ) E0e  α z

α  π f μσ  π (105 ) 4 π 10 7 1.58 104 78.97 Np/m

E0 1
E0e  78.97 z  e  78.97 z 
31.62 31.62
 1 
 78.97 z ln  
 31.62 

 1 
 78.97 z ln    3.45
 31.62 

3.45
z 0.044 m
78.97

c) An electromagnetic wave has an E field given by

E a x 0.02 cos(ωt  4 z )  a y 0.02sin  ωt  4 z  V/m

Page 8 of 13
 i. Describe the polarization of the wave. [2 marks]

Solution:

The wave is right hand elliptically polarized.

ii. Show that the instantaneous Poynting vector of this wave is a constant that is
independent of distance and time. [6 marks]

Solution:

E=a x 0. 02 cos(ωtt−4 z)+a y 0.02 sin(ωtt −4 z ) V/m

1 1
H= an ×E= a z ×0 .02 [a x cos(ωtt−4 z)+a y sin(ωtt −4 z)]
η η
0 . 02
= [ a y cos(ωtt−4 z)−a x sin(ωtt −4 z)] A/m
η

0.02
P=E×H=0.02[ax cos(ωtt−4z)+a y sin (ωtt−4z)]׿¿
[ η y
[a cos(ωtt−4z)−ax sin (ωtt−4z)]
]
0.0004 2 0.0004
= az [cos (ωtt−4z)+sin2(ωtt−4z)]= az
η η
which is a constant independent of distance or time.

QUESTION FOUR [20 marks]

a) A square loop of side a lies in the x−y plane. A magnetic field is present that is uniform in
space but varies in time according to
B (t )=B0 cos ωtt az
If the loop has a total electrical resistance R, find the current I(t) flowing in the loop.
[7
marks]
Solution:
d d d
vind  Bdxdy  ( Ba 2 )  (a 2 B0 cos ωt ) a 2ωB0 sin ωt
dt S dt dt
vind a 2ω
I (t )   B0 sin ωt A
R R

Page 9 of 13
  j6z
b) A uniform plane wave in air with Ei ( z ) a x 10e V/m is incident normally on an

interface at z 0 with a lossy medium with  2.5 0 and loss tangent 0.5. Assuming
cosine reference, determine the instantaneous expressions for
i. The reflection coefficient. [3 marks]
Solution:
ε
tan δ  0.5  ε 0.5ε 0.5(2.5ε0 ) 1.25ε0
ε
Complex permittivity;
εc ε  jε 2.5ε0  j1.25ε0 1.25ε0 (2  j ) F/m

μ0 120 π 120 π 120 π

η     j 0.23
225.7e j 0.23 Ω
εc 1.25(2  j ) 2.8e  j 0.46 1.67e

η  η0 225.7e j 0.23  120 π

Γ  0.28e j 2.74
η  η0 225.7e j 0.23  120 π

ii. The reflected electric field, E r ( z , t ) [4 marks]

Solution:

E r ( z ) Ei ( z ) 0.28e j 2.74  a x10e j 6 z  a x 2.8e j (6 z 2.74) V/m

E r ( z, t ) a x 2.8cos  t  6 z  2.74  V/m

iii. The transmitted magnetic field H t ( z , t ) [6 marks]

Solution:

2η 2(225.7e j 0.23 )
τ  0.75e j 0.144
η  η0 225.7e j 0.23  120 π
Et ( z )  Ei ( z ) 0.75e j 0.144  a x10e  j 6 z  a x 7.5e j (  6 z 0.144) V/m
1
H t ( z )  a n Et ( z )
η
1
 a a x 7.5e j (  6 z 0.144)
j 0.23 z
225.7e
a y 0.033e  j (6 z 0.086) A/m
H t ( z, t ) a y 0.033cos  ωt  6 z  0.086  A/m

Page 10 of 13
Page 11 of 13
QUESTION FIVE [20 marks]

a) Consider a plane EM wave, travelling vertically downwards (z-direction) and polarized

with the electric field in the x-direction. Starting from Maxwell’s equations show that:

1 Ex
H y 
jωμ z

You can assume harmonic time dependence with angular frequency, ω. [5 marks]

Solution:

E  jωμH

ax ay az
    E E y   Ex E z   E y Ex 
E  a x  z   ay     a z  x  y 
x y z  y z   z x   
Ex Ey Ez

 jωμH  jωμ  a x H x  a y H y  a z H z 

 E Ez  1 Ex
 jωμ H y  x    H y 
 z x  jωμ z

b) The electric field in vacuum is E a x 10 cos(ωt  kz ) V/m . Find the average power in a
circular area in a plane defined by z=constant and where radius r=0.2 m [6
marks]

Solution:
E a x 10 cos(ωt  kz ) V/m

In complex form,

E=10 e j(ωtt −βxx ) a x V/m

η=120 π
1 j( ωtt− βxz )
∴ H= e a y A/m
12 π

1 1 1
Pav = Re ( E×H ¿ )= ×10×
2 2 12 π ( )
a z W/m 2

Page 12 of 13
 Since the flow is normal to the area,

1 1
Pav = ×10×
2 12 π ( )
×π (0 . 2)2 = 0 . 0167 W/m2

c) Consider a uniform sinusoidal plane wave in air with the following phasor expression for
the electric field intensity:
E( x, z ) a y 10e  j (3 x 4 z ) V/m

i. Find the frequency and the wavelength of the wave. [5 marks]

Solution:
βx 3 , βz 4

β  βx  βz  32  42 5 rad/m

β
β ω ε0 μ0  ω  5 3 108 1.5 109
ε0 μ0

ω 1.5 109
f   2.39 108 Hz=239 MHz
2π 2π
2π 2 π
λ  0.4 π m
β 5

ii. Determine H ( x, z ) . [4 marks]

Solution:
a nr a x sin θi  a z cos θi 0.6a x  0.8a z

E r ( x, z )  a y 10e j (  3 x  4 z ) V/m

1 1
H r ( x, z )  a nr Er ( x, z )  (0.6a x  0.8a z ) a y e j (  3 x 4 z )
η 12 π
1
 ( 0.6e j (  3 x 4 z )a z  0.8e j (  3 x 4 z ) a x )
12 π

Page 13 of 13
 MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES CAT 2
Date: Tuesday 10 November 2020
Time Allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
Instructions: Attempt ALL questions
 12 −7
Free space parameters: ε0 8.854 10 F/m, μ0 =4 π ×10 H/m

1. Give brief answers to each of the following questions.

a) Define plasma and explain briefly (without any mathematical derivations) how it
impacts on satellite communications. (2 marks)
Solution:
 Plasma is ionized gas with equal electron and ion density. The ionosphere
located 50-100km from earth’s surface can be regarded as consisting of plasma
formed when the gases in this layer are ionized by the ultra violet radiation
from the sun.
 There is a certain frequency known as plasma cut-off frequency, that is
dependent on ion density, below which electromagnetic waves cannot
propagate through plasma. For satellites located in the geostationary orbit
(approximately 36000 km from earth’s surface) communication can only occur
if the carrier signal frequency is greater than the plasma cut-off frequency.

b) Define Poynting vector. Hence, state Poynting theorem. (2 marks)

Solution:

 The surface integral of the Poynting vector P E H over a closed surface

equals the power leaving the enclosed volume i.e.

 P ds   we  wm dv  p dv
t V
σ
S V

where,

1 1
we  ε E 2  εE E Electric energy density
2 2
 1 1
wm  μ H 2  μH H Magnetic energy density
2 2

J2 J J 
pσ σ E 2  σ E E  Ohmic power density
σ σ

c) Define wave impedance and state the condition under which it is equal to the intrinsic
impedance of the medium. (2 marks)
Solution:
Total E
ZW 
 Total H


ZW equals η when the wave is propagating in an unbounded homogeneous
medium i.e. when there are no reflections.

2. Consider a submarine at a depth of 100 m from the ocean surface as shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 1

The captain of the ship on the ocean surface would like to communicate with the submarine
using VLF, f =3 kHz . The constitutive parameters of seawater are as follows: σ 4S / m ,
ε r 81 and μ r 1 .
a) Determine the attenuation constant, phase constant and intrinsic impedance. (8 marks)

Solution:

σ 4
 2.96 105  1
ωε 2π(3 10 )(818.854 10 12 )
3
 σ
 1
ωε
Since the medium may be regarded as good conductor at the stated
frequency.
Attenuation constant:
α  πfμ o σ  π(3 103 )(4π 10 7 )(4) 0.218 Np / m
Phase constant:
β α 0.218 rad / m
Intrinsic impedance:
πfμ π(3000)(4π 10  7 )
ηc (1  j) (1  j) (1  j)0.054 0.076e jπ / 4 Ω
σ 4

b) Compute the required transmission power if the receiver at a depth of 100 m is capable
of receiving a signal of at least 1μV / m . Assume transmitter located on the ocean
surface. (8 marks)

Solution:

10 6 E o e  0.218(100)  E o 2935 V / m

E 02 29352 π
Pav  cos φ  cos 40.07 MW / m 2
2η 2(0.076) 4

Note: The required transmitter power is quite large indicating that radiowave
communication in sea water is difficult even at low frequencies. This is informed by
the fact that sea water is generally a good conductor making it extremely lossy.

3. A uniform sinusoidal plane wave in air with the following phasor expression for the electric
field intensity

Ei ( x, y ) a z 5e  j (6 x 8 y ) V/m

is incident on a perfectly conducting plane at y 0 .

i) Find the frequency and the wavelength of the wave. (4 marks)

Solution:
 βx 6 , βy 8

β  βx  βy  62  82 10 rad/m

β
β  ω ε0 μ0  ω  10 3 108 3 109
ε0 μ0

ω 3 109
f    4.77 108 Hz  477 MHz
2π 2π

2π 2 π
λ  0.628 m
β 10

ii) Write the instantaneous expressions for

Ei ( x, y; t ) and H i ( x, y; t ) using cosine
reference. (5 marks)

Solution:

E i (x , y )  a z 10e  j (6 x 8y )

E i (x , y; t )  a z 10 cos(ωt  6x  8y ) a z 10 cos(3 109 t  6x  8y )

6a x  8ay
ani  0.6a x  0.8ay
10

1
Hi (x , y; t )  ani E i (x , z ; t )
η
1
 (0.6a x  0.8ay ) a z 10 cos(3 109 t  6x  8z )
120 π
1
  cos(3 109 t  6x  8z )ay  cos(3 109 t  6x  8z )a x 
12π
2.65  cos(3 109 t  6x  8z )ay  cos(3 109 t  6x  8z )a x  mA/m

iii) Determine the angle of incidence. (2 marks)

Solution:

ani a x sin θi  ay cos θi

sin θi 0.6  θi 36.86

iv) Find
E r ( x, y ) and H r ( x, y ) of the reflected wave. (6 marks)

Solution:

anr a x sin θi  ay cos θi 0.6a x  0.8a y

E r (x , y )  a z 10e  j (6 x  8y ) V/m

1 1
Hr (x , y )  anr E r (x , y )  (0.6a x  0.8ay ) a z e  j (6 x  8 z )
η 12π
1
 ( 0.8e  j (6 x  8y )a x  0.6e  j (6 x  8y )ay )
12π
 MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
University Examinations 2016/2017
SECOND YEAR SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING
ECE 2225: ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES WITH SOLUTIONS
DATE: July 2017
TIME: 2 Hours
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This paper consists of five questions.
2. Answer Question One and any other two questions from the remaining four.
3. Unless otherwise specified; Assume free space conditions and all symbols have their
usual meaning.
4. Free space constants:
 0  8.854  10 12 F/m  0  4  10 7 H/m

QUESTION 1 [30 marks] – Compulsory

a) Give brief answers to each of the following questions.
i. State the Lorentz condition for potentials and give its significance. [2 marks]

V
-  A  με 0
t
- It defines the relationship between the potential functions A and V .

ii. In a source-free region,  E  0 . A vector potential F can be defined such that

E   F . Assuming harmonic time dependence, express H in terms of F .
[2 marks]

1
 - Using time harmonic Maxwell equation  E   jωμH , we obtain
j j
H  E   F
ωμ ωμ

iii. Define quasi-static fields. Are they exact solutions of Maxwell equations? Explain.
[2 marks]

- There are fields generated when  and J vary slowly with time (i.e. at very low
frequencies) and the range of interest of R is small compared to a wavelength.
In this case, the time retardation effects of the field associated with finite
velocity of propagation are neglected.

iv. Write down the phasor expressions for the electric and magnetic field intensity
vectors of a y-polarized wave propagating in the +x-direction. [3 marks]

- E( x)  a y Eo e j β x
Eo  j β x
- H( x)  a z e
η

v. Define Poynting vector. Hence, state Poynting theorem. [2 marks]

- Poynting vector: P  E  H
- Poynting theorem: W    P dS where W is the total electromagnetic power.
S

vi. Define wave impedance and state the condition under which it is equal to the
intrinsic impedance of the medium. [2 marks]

Total E
- ZW 
Total H
- ZW equals η when the wave is propagating in an unbounded homogeneous
medium i.e. when there are no reflections.

b) Write down the integral form of Maxwell’s equations and identify each equation with the
appropriate experimental law. [4 marks]
d
-  E dL    B dS Faraday’s law
c
dt S
 D 
-  H dL    J  t  dS
c S
Generalized Ampere’s circuital law.

2
 -  D dS   ρ dv
S v
v Gauss’ law

-  B dS  0
S
Gauss’ law for magnetic fields.

c) Prove that a linearly polarized wave can be resolved into two oppositely directed circularly
polarized waves. [4 marks]

- Consider a linearly polarized wave E( z )  a x Eo e j β z . Then,

E( z )  a x Eo e j β z 
1
2
 a x Eo e j β z  a y jEo e j β z    a x Eo e j β z  a y jEo e j β z 
1
2
E1 E2

- E1 and E 2 are negative and positive circularly polarized waves respectively.

d) Show that Ampere’s law in the form  H  J is inconsistent with the equation of
continuity. Hence, derive the expression for the generalized Ampere’s circuital law.
[4 marks]
Taking the curl of both sides,   H   J  0 which is inconsistent with the equation
ρ
of states that   J   . Let
t
 H  J  G
Hence,
  H  0   J   G
or
ρ   D D
 J   G      
t t t
Therefore,
D
G
t
and
D
 H  J 
t
e) A circular loop of radius 2 m and located in the xy plane is centered at the origin in the
presence of a magnetic field is given by

3
 B  2( x 2  y 2 ) 2 cos ωta z T
1

Find the total e.m.f. induced in the loop. [5 marks]

From Faraday’s law,

d  B
emf     B  dS      dS
dt  S  S
t

emf     2sin ωt x 2  y 2 a z  dxdya z

y x

 2sin ωt  x 2  y 2 dxdy

Changing to cylindrical co-ordinates

2π 4
43
emf  2sin ωt   rdrrd φ  2sin ωt (2 π )
0 0
3

 268ω sin ωt (V)

QUESTION 2 [20 marks]

a) In a non-magnetic material,


H  a y 30cos 2 108  6 x A/m
Find
i. The intrinsic impedance [2 marks]

β  ω με  ω μ0 εr ε0  ω μ0 ε0 εr  6
36 36
 εr   9
 8.2
ω μ0 ε0
2
8 2 10 7
(2 π 10 )   4 π 10
36 π

Hence, ε  1.37ε0 .

μ μ0 120 π
η    131.6 Ω
ε 8.2ε0 8.2

4
 ii. The Poynting vector [4 marks]

H  30cos(2π 108 t  6 x)a y mA/m

E  η(an  H)  131.6a x  30cos(2 π 108 t  6 x)a y

 3.95cos(2 π 108 t  6 x)a z V/m

P  E  H  0.119cos2 (2π 108 t  6 x)a x W/m2

iii. The time-average power crossing the surface x  1m , 0  y  2 m , 0  z  3m
[4 marks]

Pav  Re E  H  (3.95)(0.03)  0.059a x W/m2

1 1
2 2

Total average power;

P  0.059  CrossSectional Area  0.059(2)(3)  0.36 W

b) A uniform plane wave in air with Ei ( z)  a x10e j 6 z V/m is incident normally on an

interface at z  0 with a lossy medium with   2.5 0 and loss tangent 0.5. Assuming
cosine reference, determine the instantaneous expressions for
i. The reflected electric field, Er ( z, t ) [5 marks]

ε
tan δ   0.5  ε  0.5ε  0.5(2.5ε0 )  1.25ε0
ε
Complex permittivity;
εc  ε  jε  2.5ε0  j1.25ε0  1.25ε0 (2  j ) F/m

μ0 120 π 120π 120π

η     j 0.23
 225.7e j 0.23 Ω
εc 1.25(2  j ) 2.8e  j 0.46 1.67e

η  η0 225.7e j 0.23  120 π

Γ   0.28e j 2.74
η  η0 225.7e j 0.23
 120 π

 
Er ( z )  Ei ( z)  0.28e j 2.74 a x10e j 6 z  a x 2.8e j (6 z 2.74) V/m

Er ( z, t )  a x 2.8cos t  6 z  2.74  V/m

ii. The transmitted magnetic field Ht ( z, t ) [5 marks]

5
 2η 2(225.7e j 0.23 )
τ   0.75e j 0.144
η  η0 225.7e j 0.23
 120 π
 
Et ( z)   Ei ( z)  0.75e j 0.144 a x10e j 6 z  a x 7.5e j ( 6 z 0.144) V/m
1
Ht ( z )  a n  Et ( z )
η
1
 a  a x 7.5e j ( 6 z  0.144)
j 0.23 z
225.7e
 a y 0.033e j (6 z 0.086) A/m
Ht ( z, t )  a y 0.033cos  ωt  6 z  0.086  A/m

QUESTION 3 [20 marks]

a) Derive from Maxwell’s equations the expression for the non-homogeneous wave equation
for the electric vector potential A . [9 marks]
Maxwell,s equations are

B
 E   (i)
t

D
 H  J  (ii)
t

 D  ρ (iii)

 B  0 (iv)

Eq. (iv) implies that

B   A

so that eq. (i) becomes

  A  A
 E   ( A)    E    0 E  V
t  t  t

A
E  V 
t

Using eq. (ii) and B  μH

6
 E  A 
   A  μJ  με  μJ  με  V  
t t  t 
V 2A
 μJ  με  με 2
t t

But  A  ( A)  2 A

V 2A
(  A)  2 A  μJ  με  με 2
t t

2A  V 
2 A  με   μJ      A  με 
t 2
 t 

V
Applying Lorenz gauge i.e.   A  με  0 , we obtain
t

2A
2 A  με   μJ
t 2

b) An electromagnetic wave propagating in the free space is described by

Vo  3x 4 y 
E( x, y, t )  a z cos    ωt  V/m
a  a a 
Your answers to the following questions must be in terms of Vo and a .

i. Determine the direction of propagation of the wave. [2 marks]

3 4 3 4
 ax  ay  ax  ay
a 3 4 
an  a a  a a    a x  a y   0.6a x  0.8a y
2
3 4
2 5 5 a a 
    a
a a
ii. Find  and the wavelength of the wave. [4 marks]

c    c

2 2
3 4 5
      
a a a
5 15  108
  c     3  108  rad/s
a a

7
 2 2a
   0.4a m
 5

iii. Determine the magnetic field of the wave. [3 marks]

1
H ( x, y , t )  a n  E( x, y, t )

1 V  3x 4 y 
 (0.6a x  0.8a y )  a z o cos   t 
120 a  a a 
V  3x 4 y 
 (a x  a y ) o cos   t 
120a  a a 
iv. Find the average electromagnetic power density Pav . [2 marks]

2
1 1 V  V  0.0019Vo2
Pav  Re[E  H* ]   o 2 o   W/m 2
2 2 a  120a  a 2

QUESTION 4 [20 marks]

a) Define plasma and explain briefly (without any mathematical derivations) how it impacts
on satellite communications. [3 marks]

- Plasma is ionized gas with equal electron and ion density. The ionosphere
located 50-100km from earth’s surface can be regarded as consisting of plasma.
There is a certain frequency known as plasma cut-off frequency below which
electromagnetic waves cannot propagate through plasma. For satellites located
in the geostationary orbit (approximately 36000 km from earth’s surface)
communication can only occur if the carrier signal frequency is greater than the
plasma cut-off frequency.

b) A lossless material has εr  1 . If H  4sin(106 t  0.01z)a y A/m , find,

i) Electric field, E( z, t ) [4 marks]

D
 H  J 
t
Since J  σE and σ , then J  0 . Hence,

D
H 
t

8
 ax ay az
  
H   0.04 cos(106 t  0.01z )a x
x y z
0 4sin(10 t  0.01z )
6
0
Dx
 0.04cos(106 t  0.01z )
t

0.04
Dx   0.04cos(106 t  0.01z )dt  6
sin(106 t  0.01z )
10

0.04
Ex  sin(106 t  0.01z )  4.52sin(106 t  0.01z )kV/m
10  8.854 1012
6

E  4.52sin(106 t  0.01z)a x kV/m

ii) Relative permeability,  R [4 marks]

B
 E  
t
ax ay az
  
E 
x y z
4.52 10 sin(106 t  0.01z )
3
0 0
B
  45.2 cos(106 t  0.01z )a y  
t
B
 45.2cos(106 t  0.01z)a y
t
45.2
By   45.2cos(106 t  0.01z )dt  6
sin(106 t  0.01z )
10
By 45.2 1
μ  6
  1.13 105
Hy 10 0.04

μ 1.13 105
μR   9
μ0 4 π 107

c) A non-magnetic medium has intrinsic impedance   24030  . Determine its

i. Loss tangent [2 marks]

9
 tan   tan 30  0.57

ii. Dielectric constant [2 marks]

2
 120π   120π 
2
120 π
η  εr       1.36  j 0.79  ε  jε
εr  η   24030 
ε  ε  1.36
iii. Complex permittivity [2 marks]
εc  ε0 1.36  j 0.79 
iv. Attenuation constant at 1 MHz. [3 marks]

γ  jω μεc  α  j β

1.36  j 0.79 1.57  30

γ  j 2 π 106  j 2 π 106
3 108
3 108
1.25  15
 j 2 π 106  0.025  j 6.77  α  j β
3 108
α  0.025 Np/m

QUESTION 5 [20 marks]

a) Derive the homogeneous Helmholtz’ equation for the electric field, E. [5 marks]

 E   jωμH (i)

 H  jωεE (ii)

 E  0 (iii)
 H  0 (iv) [1]
Taking the curl of both sides of eq. (i),
 E   jωμ( H) [1]

Substituting (ii) and using the identity  E  ( E)  2E

( E)  2E   jωμ( jωεE)  ω2 μεE  k 2E [1]

where k  ω με

By eq. (iii)  E  0 , so that

2E  k 2E

10
 or

2 E  k 2 E  0 [1]

b) A uniform sinusoidal plane wave in air with the following phasor expression for the
electric field intensity
Ei ( x, z)  a y10e j (3 x4 z ) V/m

is incident on a perfectly conducting plane at z  0 .

i. Find the frequency and the wavelength of the wave. [4 marks]
β x  3 , βz  4

β  βx  βz  32  42  5 rad/m

β
β  ω ε0 μ0  ω   5  3 108  1.5 109
ε0 μ0

ω 1.5 109
f    2.39 108 Hz=239 MHz
2π 2π
2π 2π
λ   0.4 π m
β 5

ii. Write the instantaneous expressions for Ei ( x, z; t ) and Hi ( x, z; t ) using cosine

reference. [5 marks]
Ei ( x, z)  a y 10e j (3 x 4 z )

Ei ( x, z; t )  a y10cos(ωt  3x  4 z )

3a x  4a z
ani   0.6a x  0.8a z
5
1
H i ( x, z ; t )  a ni  Ei ( x, z; t )
η
1
 (0.6a x  0.8a z )  a y 10 cos(ωt  3x  4 z )
120 π
1
 cos(ωt  3x  4 z )a z  cos(ωt  3x  4 z )a x 
12 π

iii. Find Er ( x, z ) and H r ( x, z ) of the reflected wave. [6 marks]

11
anr  a x sin θi  a z cos θi  0.6a x  0.8a z

Er ( x, z)  a y10e j ( 3 x4 z ) V/m

1 1
H r ( x, z )  a nr  Er ( x, z )   (0.6a x  0.8a z )  a y e j ( 3 x  4 z )
η 12 π
1
 (0.6e j ( 3 x  4 z )a z  0.8e j ( 3 x  4 z )a x )
12 π

12
 MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES WITH ANSWERS
Date: 4th April 2019
Time Allowed: 1 hour
Instructions: Attempt ALL questions
 0  8.854  10 12 F/m,  0  4  10 7 H/m
a) Give brief answers to each of the following questions.
i. Define plasma and explain briefly (without any mathematical derivations) how it
impacts on satellite communications. [2 marks]
Solution:
 Plasma is ionized gas with equal electron and ion density.
 The ionosphere located 50-100km from earth’s surface can be regarded as
consisting of plasma. There is a certain frequency known as plasma cut-off
frequency below which electromagnetic waves cannot propagate through
plasma.
 For satellites located in the geostationary orbit (approximately 36000 km
from earth’s surface) communication can only occur if the carrier signal
frequency is greater than the plasma cut-off frequency.

ii. Define Poynting vector. Hence, state Poynting theorem. [2 marks]

Solution:
 The surface integral of the Poynting vector P  E  H over a closed surface
equals the power leaving the enclosed volume i.e.

  P  ds   we  wm dv   pσ dv
S
t V V

where,

1 2 1
we  ε E  εE  E  Electric energy density
2 2

1 1
wm  μH 2  μH  H  Magnetic energy density
2 2
J2  J  J
pσ  σ E 2
 σE  E   Ohmic power density
σ σ

Page 1 of 4
 iii. Define wave impedance and state the condition under which it is equal to the
intrinsic impedance of the medium. [2 marks]
Solution:
Total E
ZW 
 Total H
 ZW equals η when the wave is propagating in an unbounded
homogeneous medium i.e. when there are no reflections.

b) The recommended standard for personal safety in a microwave environment is that the
power density be less than 10mW/cm2. Calculate the corresponding standard in terms of
the magnetic field intensity. [4 marks]
Solution:
1 η H2 2W 2(10 103 )
 W EH  0 H    7.28 mA/m
2 2 η0 377

c) A non-magnetic medium has intrinsic impedance   24030  . Determine its

i. Loss tangent [2 marks]
Solution:
tan   tan 30  0.57

ii. Dielectric constant [2 marks]

Solution:
2
 120 π   120 π 
2
120 π
η  εr       1.36  j 0.79  ε  jε
εr  η   24030 
ε  ε  1.36

iii. Complex permittivity [2 marks]

Solution:
εc  ε0 1.36  j 0.79

iv. Attenuation constant at 1 MHz. [2 marks]

Solution:

γ  jω μεc  α  j β

Page 2 of 4
 1.36  j 0.79 1.57  30
γ  j 2 π 106  j 2 π 106
3 108
3 108
1.25  15
 j 2 π 106  0.025  j 6.77  α  j β
3 108
α  0.025 Np/m

d) Define plane of incidence. Hence, with the aid of a well labeled diagram, illustrate parallel
polarization. [4 marks]
Solution:
 It is the plane containing the vector indicating the direction of propagation of the
incident wave and the normal to the boundary surface.
 Parallel polarization schematic:
x

a nr Er
Reflected
wave
Hr

Perfect conductor
θr
z
θi y

Ei
a ni
Incident
wave
Hi

Medium 1 Medium 2
(σ1  0) (σ 2  )
z 0

e) An electromagnetic wave propagating in a vacuum in the region z  0 is normally incident

upon a perfect conductor located at z  0 . The frequency of the wave is 3 GHz. The
amplitude of the incident electric field is 10 V/m. The wave is polarized in the y direction.
Determine for the phasor and instantaneous expressions of the incident and reflected E and
H field components; [8 marks]
Solution:
At f  3GHz , ω  2π f  6π 109 rad/s

Page 3 of 4
 ω 6 π 109
k   20 π m 1
c 3 108

In phasor notation, the incident wave is expressed as

Ei ( z)  a y10e j 20 π z V/m

1 10  j 20 π z
Hi ( z)  (a z  Ei )  a x e A/m
η0 120 π

The instantaneous incident waves are

Ei ( z, t )  Re Ei ( z )e jωt   a y 10 cos(6 π 109 t  20 π z ) V/m

10
H i ( z, t )  Re  H i ( z )e jωt   a x cos(6 π 109 t  20 π z ) A/m
120 π

In phasor notation, the reflected wave is

Er ( z)  a y10e j 20 π z V/m

1 10 j 20 π z
Hr ( z)  (a z  Er )  a x e A/m
η0 120 π

The instantaneous reflected waves are

Er ( z , t )  Re Er ( z )e jωt   a y 10 cos(6 π 109 t  20 π z ) V/m

10
H r ( z, t )  Re  H r ( z )e jωt   a x cos(6 π 109 t  20 π z ) A/m
120 π

Page 4 of 4
 MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMMUNICATION ENG.
ECE 2225 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES CAT 1 WITH ANSWERS
Date: March 2019 Time allowed: 1 hour
Instructions: Attempt all questions.

1. Give short and accurate answers to each of the following questions:

a) Write down the boundary conditions for the tangential component of H and normal
component of D . [2 marks]

 an  (H1  H 2 )  J s
 an  (D1  D2 )  ρs

b) Define retarded potentials. [1 mark]

 These are the potential for time varying fields. They are retarded because
their value at time t depend on the value of the source at some previous
time t  R / u , R and u are distance from source point to field point and
velocity of wave.

c) Express the transformer e.m.f. induced in a stationary loop in terms of the time
varying vector potential A . [2 marks]
 A   A 
 vind        dS or vind       t   dS
 t  S 
d) Define uniform plane wave. Can such a wave exist in practice? Explain.
[2 marks]

 It is a wave with one dimensional spatial dependence with same amplitude,

same phase, and same direction in infinite planes perpendicular to the
direction of propagation. Such a wave cannot exist in practice because it
would require a source infinite in extent to produce it.

e) Write down the phasor and instantaneous expressions for the electric and magnetic
field intensity vectors of a y-polarised wave propagating in the +z-direction.
[4 marks]

1
 Phasor Expression Instantaneous expression
Electric field E( z)  a y E0e j βz E( z, t )  a y E0 cos  ωt  β z 
Magnetic field E0  j β z E0
H( z )  a x e H( z , t )  a x cos  ωt  β z 
η η

2. The loop in Fig. 1 is being pushed into the 1.2 T magnetic field directed out of the page at 15
m/s. The length L is 0.4 m. The resistance of the loop is 0.5 Ω. Determine the magnitude of
the current in the loop and indicate whether clockwise or anticlockwise. [6 marks]

Fig. 1
Use E m  v  B . We define the geometry of the problem using the co-ordinate axes below:

Hence,
E m  v  B  va x  Ba z   Bv a y . x

Motional emf:
L
y
V   E  dL   ( Bva y )  dya y  BvL z
L 0

V BvL 1.2 15  0.4

I    14.4 A
R R 0.5
Since E m is in the  a y , the induced current is in the a y direction, i.e. opposite to the
direction of motion of charge, hence clockwise.

3. Calculations concerning the electromagnetic effect of current in a good conductor usually

neglect displacement current even at microwave frequencies.

2
 a) Assuming  R  1 and   5.7 107 S/m for copper, compare the magnitude of
displacement current density with that of conduction current density at 100 GHz.
[4 marks]
Let E  E0 cos  ωt  kz 
J c  σ E0  5.7 107 E0
J d  ε0ωE0 cos  ωt  kz 
J d  ωε0 E0
Jc σ E0 σ 5.7 107
    1.02  107
Jd ωε0 E0 ωε0 2 π 1011  8.854 1012
Hence, conduction current is approximately 6.44 107 times greater than the
displacement current.

b) Write down the governing differential equation for the magnetic field intensity H
in a source-free good conductor. [2 marks]

Since J d  J c we neglect J d . In source-free regions, J c  0 or J  0 . Hence, the

equation becomes,

 H  0

4. The instantaneous expression for the magnetic field intensity of a uniform plane wave in air
is given by

 
H  a z 4 106 cos 107  t  k0 y   A/m
 4

a) Determine k0 and the location where H vanishes at t  3 ms . [4 marks]

ω 107 π π
k0  ω ε0 μ0    rad/m
3 108
3 108
30

At t  3 ms ,

  
H  a z 4 106 cos 107  (3 103 )  y   A/m
 30 4

When H  0 ,
  
cos  3 104   y0    0
 30 4

3
 or

   2n  1 
3 104   y0     , n  0,1, 2,
30 4  2 

Hence,

 2 n  1  1
y0  30    3 10   m n  0,1, 2,
4

 2  4

b) Write down the instantaneous expression for E . [3 marks]

E  ηa n  H
 π π
5.  120 π a y  a z 4  10 6 cos 107 π t  y 
 30 4
 π π
 a x 1.51 10 3 cos 107 π t  y   V/m
 30 4