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PHYSICS, M7 2025 HSC 1 MC

Which of the following did Maxwell contribute to the understanding of the nature of light?

  1. Explanation of atomic emission spectra
  2. Prediction of the speed of electromagnetic waves
  3. Experimental support for the particle model of light
  4. Experimental confirmation of light beyond the visible spectrum
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\(B\)

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  • Maxwell’s contribution was the prediction of the speed of electromagnetic waves, showing that light is an electromagnetic wave.

\(\Rightarrow B\)

PHYSICS, M7 2023 HSC 6 MC

An electron would produce an electromagnetic wave when it is

  1. stationary.
  2. in a stable hydrogen atom.
  3. moving at a constant velocity.
  4. moving at a constant speed in a circular path.
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\(D\)

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  • Maxwell predicted that an accelerating charge will produce an electromagnetic wave.
  • As the electron moves at a constant speed in a circular path it must be experiencing an acceleration.

\(\Rightarrow D\)

♦ Mean mark 52%.

PHYSICS, M7 EQ-Bank 1 MC

In which of the following areas of physics did James Clerk Maxwell NOT contribute to our understanding?

  1. The unification of electricity and magnetism through equations.
  2. Predicting light is a form of electromagnetic radiation.
  3. Predicting the velocity of electromagnetic waves
  4. Validating the existence of electromagnetic waves
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`D`

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  • Maxwell’s contributions to our understanding of electromagnetism were only theoretical.
  • Maxwell used equations to predict the existence and properties of electromagnetic waves, however, never experimentally validated their existence.

`=>D`

PHYSICS, M7 2019 HSC 25

The diagram shows a model of electromagnetic waves.
 


 

Relate this model to predictions made by Maxwell.   (4 marks)

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  • The diagram shows alternating electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other. This relates to Maxwell’s prediction of mutual inductance; that a changing electric field induces a changing magnetic field and vice versa.
  • The diagram shows the electromagnetic wave propagating with velocity `v `. This relates to Maxwell’s prediction of a range of waves with different wavelengths, all travelling at the same speed where `c=(1)/(sqrt(mu_(0)epsilon_(0)))`.
  • The diagram also shows an electromagnetic wave emanating from an oscillating charge. This is consistent with Maxwell’s prediction that an oscillating electric charge produces a changing electric field, which in turn produces a changing magnetic field. These fields continue to mutually induce each other, producing an electromagnetic wave.
Show Worked Solution
  • The diagram shows alternating electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other. This relates to Maxwell’s prediction of mutual inductance; that a changing electric field induces a changing magnetic field and vice versa.
  • The diagram shows the electromagnetic wave propagating with velocity `v `. This relates to Maxwell’s prediction of a range of waves with different wavelengths, all travelling at the same speed where `c=(1)/(sqrt(mu_(0)epsilon_(0)))`.
  • The diagram also shows an electromagnetic wave emanating from an oscillating charge. This is consistent with Maxwell’s prediction that an oscillating electric charge produces a changing electric field, which in turn produces a changing magnetic field. These fields continue to mutually induce each other, producing an electromagnetic wave.

♦ Mean mark 44%.