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FAQs on Electromagnetic Waves Class 12 Important Questions: CBSE Physics Chapter 8
1. What are the most important topics in Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves for CBSE Board exams 2025–26?
The most important topics for exam scoring in Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves include:
- Electromagnetic spectrum and wave properties
- Displacement current (Maxwell’s correction)
- Nature, source, and characteristics of electromagnetic (EM) waves
- Derivation of speed of light in vacuum
- Applications of various EM spectrum regions
- Energy, intensity, and the Poynting vector
2. Which types of problems are frequently asked from Electromagnetic Waves in Class 12 Physics board papers?
Board exams typically ask:
- Numerical problems on displacement current, wave speed, and wavelength-frequency relationships
- Conceptual questions on characteristics and nature of EM waves
- Application-based questions on daily life uses of different EM spectrum regions (e.g., microwaves in ovens, X-rays in medicine)
- Short derivations (e.g., formula for speed of EM waves in a medium)
3. What is displacement current and why is it considered a key concept in Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves important questions?
Displacement current is the term added by Maxwell to Ampère's law to account for the changing electric field in a capacitor or between any two conductors. It is necessary for:
- Ensuring continuity of current in circuits with capacitors
- Establishing electromagnetic waves in free space
4. How can you distinguish the characteristics of electromagnetic waves in terms of CBSE Class 12 board expectations?
According to the CBSE syllabus, electromagnetic waves:
- Are transverse in nature
- Travel at a constant speed $c = 3 \times 10^8$ m/s in vacuum
- Do not require a material medium for propagation
- Carry energy and momentum through space (analyzed using the Poynting vector)
- Have mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields, both perpendicular to the direction of propagation
5. Why is understanding the electromagnetic spectrum important for solving Class 12 Physics important questions?
Understanding the electromagnetic spectrum is crucial because:
- It helps students identify applications and properties associated with each region (e.g., radio waves vs. X-rays)
- CBSE questions often ask to arrange waves by frequency or wavelength and explain uses
- It forms the basis for HOTS/application questions, such as matching technologies to parts of the spectrum
6. How do you approach numerical important questions on wavelength and frequency in electromagnetic waves for Class 12 exams?
To solve numericals:
- Use the core formula $c = v \lambda$ where $c$ is the speed of light, $v$ is frequency, and $\lambda$ is wavelength
- Convert all units to S.I. before calculation
- Check whether the wave travels in vacuum or another medium (may change speed)
- Show stepwise calculations as per CBSE marking
7. What are some higher-order thinking (HOTS) questions from Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves that appear in board exams?
Common HOTS ( frequently asked important questions ) include:
- Why are sky waves not used for TV signal transmission? (Requires knowledge of ionospheric properties)
- Explain the need for geostationary satellites in long-distance communications (Conceptual reasoning)
- Consequences if Earth's atmosphere had no ozone layer (Application of spectrum)
8. Explain how the speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum is derived and why this is an important board question.
The speed of EM waves in vacuum is derived from Maxwell’s equations as:
- $c = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\mu_0 \epsilon_0}}$, where $\mu_0$ is permeability and $\epsilon_0$ is permittivity of free space
- It appears as both 1-mark and 3-mark questions
- Demonstrates the link between basic electromagnetic constants and physical phenomena, as per CBSE Physics expectations
9. What are common mistakes students must avoid in Class 12 Electromagnetic Waves important questions for boards?
- Mixing up directions of electric and magnetic fields or their relation to propagation
- Forgetting unit conversions in frequency/wavelength calculations
- Omitting conceptual points in application questions (e.g., properties of the atmosphere for signal transmission)
- Not citing correct board year or marks allocation as per CBSE pattern
10. Illustrate an example of a 5-mark CBSE important question from Electromagnetic Waves for Class 12, with its expected answer structure.
Example question: ‘Derive the expression for the speed of electromagnetic waves in free space from Maxwell's equations. Discuss the significance of displacement current in this derivation.’
Expected answer structure:
- State Maxwell's modified Ampère’s law (with displacement current)
- Apply Faraday’s law and connect to wave equations
- Show steps leading to $c = 1/\sqrt{\mu_0 \epsilon_0}$
- Explain the vital role of displacement current in allowing EM wave propagation through free space
- Write conclusion and highlight real-world implications
11. Why are electromagnetic waves considered transverse, and how can this be shown practically (likely HOTS/3-mark question)?
Electromagnetic waves are transverse because their electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel and to each other. This can be shown by:
- Analyzing plane wave equations: $E$ and $B$ fields are always perpendicular to direction of propagation
- Practical demonstration: Use of polaroids shows only transverse waves pass through in a specific orientation, matching EM wave behavior
12. What is the application-based significance of different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for Class 12 important questions?
Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum has unique real-life uses:
- Radio waves: communication, broadcasting
- Microwaves: radar, microwave ovens
- Infrared: night vision, remote controls
- Visible light: vision, photography
- Ultraviolet: sterilization
- X-rays: medical imaging
- Gamma rays: cancer therapy
13. What role does the Poynting vector play in electromagnetic waves questions for Class 12 boards?
The Poynting vector, $\vec{S} = \frac{1}{\mu_0} (\vec{E} \times \vec{B})$, represents the direction and magnitude of energy flow per unit area for an electromagnetic wave. In exams, questions may involve:
- Calculating energy transfer rate
- Relating intensity of EM radiation to its electric and magnetic fields
14. How is displacement current demonstrated in a parallel plate capacitor, and why might this feature in a board important question?
Displacement current is demonstrated in a capacitor as:
- When a capacitor is charging, conduction current flows through wires but not across plates.
- However, changing electric field between plates produces displacement current, making total current continuous.
15. How can students efficiently prepare for Electromagnetic Waves Class 12 important questions for the board exam?
To prepare efficiently:
- Practice previous years’ important questions and sample papers
- Focus on CBSE marking scheme and presentation
- Memorize key formulas and derivations
- Understand real-world applications for spectrum regions

















