Q10 CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS

REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION OF

PLANE WAVES

For every conceptual question, exactly one answer is correct

QUESTION 10.1 Normal incidence on a PEC – properties of a resul-

tant wave. A time-harmonic uniform plane electromagnetic wave with the rms
intensity of the electric field Ei0 and frequency f travels in air and is incident nor-
mally on an infinitely large screen made of a perfect electric conductor (PEC), as
shown in Fig.Q10.1. Consider the resultant (incident plus reflected) wave in air and
the following statements: (a) the resultant wave is a time-harmonic wave; (b) the
resultant wave is a uniform wave; (c) the resultant wave is a plane wave; (d) the
phase velocity of the resultant wave equals c0 = 3 × 108 m/s; (e) the group velocity
of the resultant wave equals c0 = 3 × 108 m/s. Which of these statements are true?
(A) Statements (a) and (c) only.
(B) Statements (b) and (c) only.
(C) Statements (a)-(c) only.
(D) Statements (a)-(d) only.
(E) All statements, (a)-(e).

e0 , m 0

Ei PEC

ni
Hi
y z
O

Figure Q10.1 Normal incidence of a uniform plane time-harmonic electromagnetic

wave from air on a PEC screen; for Question 10.1.

QUESTION 10.2 Wavelength of a standing wave. The wavelength of the

resultant wave in Fig.Q10.1 is

101
102 Branislav M. Notaroš: Electromagnetics (Pearson Prentice Hall)

(A) λ = c0 /f (c0 = 3 × 108 m/s).

(B) λ = 2c0 /f .
(C) λ = 0.5c0 /f .
(D) not defined.
(E) None of the above.

QUESTION 10.3 Electric to magnetic field ratio for a standing wave.

Consider two more statements regarding the resultant electromagnetic wave in air
in Fig.Q10.1: (1) the electric and magnetic field vectors of the resultant wave are
perpendicular to each other at any instant of time and any point of space in front of
the screen; (2) the ratio of the p
electric and magnetic field intensities of the resultant
wave equals a constant, η0 = µ0 /ε0 , at any time and any location in air. Which
of these statements is true?
(A) Statement (1) only.
(B) Statement (2) only.
(C) Both statements.
(D) None of the statements.

QUESTION 10.4 Insertion of a PEC sheet transversally to a standing

wave. Consider the standing electromagnetic wave resulting from a normally in-
cident time-harmonic uniform plane wave with wavelength λ0 reflecting in air off
a perfectly conducting plane, Fig.Q10.1, and assume that a perfectly conducting
sheet is inserted in the plane z = −h (h > 0). The structure of the electromagnetic
field for −h ≤ z ≤ 0 will not change
(A) if h = λ0 /8.
(B) if h = λ0 /4.
(C) if h = λ0 /2.
(D) for arbitrary h.
(E) There is no such h.

QUESTION 10.5 Instants of time with no electric energy of a standing

wave. In the resultant wave in Fig.Q10.1, there are instants of time when there is
no electric energy in any portion of the half-space in front of the PEC plane.
(A) True.
(B) False.

QUESTION 10.6 Complex Poynting vector of a standing wave. The

complex Poynting vector of the resultant wave in Fig.Q10.1 is
Q10. Conceptual Questions: Reflection and Transmission of Waves 103

(A) purely real

(B) purely imaginary
(C) zero
(D) with equal nonzero real and imaginary parts
at every point in front of the PEC plane.

QUESTION 10.7 Electric probe in the field of a standing wave. A time-

harmonic uniform plane electromagnetic wave in air has a wavelength λ0 and im-
pinges normally on a perfectly conducting plane, as in Fig.Q10.1. We wish to
receive a signal contained in the wave by a short straight-wire dipole antenna (elec-
tric probe). The rms electromotive force (emf) induced in the antenna is maximum
if the dipole is positioned
(A) parallel to the x-axis and in the plane z = −λ0 /4.
(B) parallel to the y-axis and in the plane z = −λ0 /4.
(C) parallel to the z-axis and in the plane z = −λ0 /4.
(D) parallel to the x-axis and in the plane z = −λ0 /2.
(E) parallel to the y-axis and in the plane z = −λ0 /2.
(F) parallel to the z-axis and in the plane z = −λ0 /2.

QUESTION 10.8 Magnetic probe in the field of a standing wave. Repeat

the previous question but assuming that a small wire loop (magnetic probe) is used
as a receiving antenna. The rms emf induced in the antenna is maximum if the loop
is placed
(A) parallel to the xy-plane, with its center at z = −λ0 /4.
(B) parallel to the xz-plane, with its center at z = −λ0 /4.
(C) parallel to the yz-plane, with its center at z = −λ0 /4.
(D) parallel to the xy-plane, with its center at z = −λ0 /2.
(E) parallel to the xz-plane, with its center at z = −λ0 /2.
(F) parallel to the yz-plane, with its center at z = −λ0 /2.

QUESTION 10.9 Normal incidence on a PEC of a LHCP wave. A left-

hand circularly polarized time-harmonic uniform plane electromagnetic wave travels
in a lossless dielectric medium and is incident on a PEC plane at normal incidence.
The reflected wave is
(A) linearly polarized.
(B) left-hand circularly polarized.
(C) right-hand circularly polarized.
104 Branislav M. Notaroš: Electromagnetics (Pearson Prentice Hall)

(D) left-hand elliptically polarized.

(E) right-hand elliptically polarized.
(F) unpolarized.

QUESTION 10.10 Normal incidence on a PEC of a RHEP wave. Repeat

the previous question but for a right-hand elliptically polarized incident wave.

QUESTION 10.11 Reflection coefficient, interface between two perfect

dielectrics. A time-harmonic uniform plane wave is incident normally on a planar
interface between two lossless dielectric media, as shown in Fig.Q10.2. The reflection
coefficient, Γ, for this case is
(A) purely real and positive.
(B) purely real and negative.
(C) zero.
(D) None of the above.
(E) Need more information.

1 2
Ei

ni
Hi y z
O

e1, m1 e2, m2

Figure Q10.2 Normal incidence of a uniform plane time-harmonic electromagnetic

wave from a lossless medium 1 on the planar surface of a penetrable lossless medium
2; for Question 10.11.

QUESTION 10.12 Transmission coefficient, interface between perfect

dielectrics. Repeat the previous question but for the transmission coefficient, τ ,
at an interface between two perfect-dielectric media.

QUESTION 10.13 Reflection coefficient for air-good dielectric interface.

A uniform plane time-harmonic wave propagates in air and impinges normally the
Q10. Conceptual Questions: Reflection and Transmission of Waves 105

planar surface of a large block of material that can be considered to be a good

dielectric and is nonmagnetic. The associated reflection coefficient (Γ) is
(A) purely real and positive.
(B) purely real and negative.
(C) purely imaginary.
(D) zero.
(E) with equal nonzero real and imaginary parts.
(F) Need more information.

QUESTION 10.14 Transmission coefficient for air-good conductor in-

terface. Repeat the previous question but for the transmission coefficient (τ ) at
an interface between air and a good conductor, at frequencies up to the visible-light
region.

QUESTION 10.15 Transmission coefficient for air-PEC interface. Re-

peat the previous question but for a perfect electric conductor as the reflecting
medium.

QUESTION 10.16 Air-glass and glass-air transmission. If the reflection

and transmission coefficients for the normal incidence of a plane wave from air
(denoted as medium 1) into glass (medium 2) are Γ12 and τ 12 , respectively (see
Fig.Q10.2), we have the following for the corresponding coefficients for the normal
incidence from glass into air, Γ21 and τ 21 :
(A) Γ21 = −Γ12 and τ 21 = τ 12 .
(B) Γ21 = Γ12 and τ 21 = −τ 12 .
(C) Γ21 = −Γ12 and |τ 21 | =
6 |τ 12 |.
(D) Γ21 = Γ12 and |τ 21 | =
6 |τ 12 |.
(E) None of the above combinations.

QUESTION 10.17 Air-PEC and PEC-air transmission. Repeat the previ-

ous question but replacing glass by a perfect electric conductor (as medium 2).

QUESTION 10.18 Limits for the reflection coefficient in decibels. Con-

sider a boundary surface between two arbitrary material media. The range of pos-
sible values of the reflection coefficient in decibels, ΓdB , is as follows:
(A) 0 dB ≤ ΓdB ≤ 1 dB.
(B) 1 dB ≤ ΓdB < ∞.
(C) 0 dB ≤ ΓdB < ∞.
106 Branislav M. Notaroš: Electromagnetics (Pearson Prentice Hall)

(D) −∞ < ΓdB ≤ 0 dB.

(E) −∞ < ΓdB < ∞.

QUESTION 10.19 Electric-field maximum at a boundary surface. A

time-harmonic uniform plane wave in a perfect dielectric with intrinsic impedance
of 100 Ω partially reflects, at normal incidence, from the surface of a material whose
properties are unknown. It was found that the resultant wave in the incident region
exhibits standing wave properties and that an electric-field maximum is located at
the boundary surface. What can be concluded about the unknown material?
(A) The intrinsic impedance of the material is purely real and greater than 100 Ω.
(B) The unknown intrinsic impedance is purely real, nonzero, and less than 100 Ω.
(C) The intrinsic impedance of the material equals 100 Ω.
(D) The material is lossy.
(E) The material has the same parameters as a vacuum.
(F) The intrinsic impedance of the material is zero.

QUESTION 10.20 Electric-field minimum at a boundary surface. Repeat

the previous question but assuming that an electric-field minimum, which is not zero,
is identified at the boundary surface.

QUESTION 10.21 Electric-field zero at a boundary surface. Repeat

Question 10.19 but assuming that the resultant wave has a zero of the electric
field at the boundary surface.

QUESTION 10.22 Reflected and transmitted powers. A uniform plane

time-harmonic electromagnetic wave propagates in a lossless medium and impinges
normally the planar interface with another lossless medium, with different material
parameters (Fig.Q10.2). If the associated reflection and transmission coefficients are
Γ and τ , respectively, consider the following statements: (a) the percentage of the
time-average incident power that is reflected from the interface equals |Γ|2×100 (%);
(b) the percentage of the incident power that is transmitted into the second medium
amounts to |τ |2 ×100 (%). Which of the statements is true?
(A) Statement (a) only.
(B) Statement (b) only.
(C) Both statements.
(D) None of the statements.

QUESTION 10.23 RHCP incidence, polarization state of the reflected

wave. A right-hand circularly polarized uniform plane wave is incident normally
Q10. Conceptual Questions: Reflection and Transmission of Waves 107

from air on a dielectric half-space with parameters εr = 4, µr = 1, and σ = 0. The

reflected wave is
(A) linearly polarized.
(B) right-hand circularly polarized.
(C) left-hand circularly polarized.
(D) right-hand elliptically polarized.
(E) left-hand elliptically polarized.
(F) unpolarized.

QUESTION 10.24 Polarization state of the transmitted wave. Repeat

the previous question but now determining the polarization state of the transmitted
wave.

QUESTION 10.25 Switching places of media, polarization of the re-

flected wave. Repeat Question 10.23 but assuming that the two media switch
places, so that the wave is incident from the dielectric half-space into air.

QUESTION 10.26 Polarization of the transmitted wave with media

switched. Repeat the previous question (with media switched) but for the po-
larization state of the transmitted wave.

QUESTION 10.27 Surface resistance of a good conductor. If the fre-

quency is doubled, the surface resistance, Rs , of a good conductor (with the skin
effect pronounced)
(A) increases.
(B) decreases.
(C) remains the same.
(D) Need more information.

QUESTION 10.28 Surface resistance of a PEC. The surface resistance (Rs )

of a perfect electric conductor is
(A) zero.
(B) infinite.
(C) 377 Ω.
(D) a function of frequency.
(E) None of the above.
108 Branislav M. Notaroš: Electromagnetics (Pearson Prentice Hall)

QUESTION 10.29 Loss power in an aluminum conductor. A uniform

plane time-harmonic electromagnetic wave is normally incident from air on the
planar surface of a large aluminum conductor. The skin effect is pronounced. Un-
der these circumstances, the time-average power of Joule’s losses in the conductor
[(PJ )ave ] per unit area of its surface can be computed as the surface resistance of
the conductor (Rs ) times the magnitude squared of the complex rms surface current
density vector (Js ) that would exist on the surface of the conductor if it were a PEC.
(A) True.
(B) False.

e0 , m 0
PEC

y z
qi
O

ni

Figure Q10.3 Oblique incidence of a uniform plane time-harmonic electromagnetic

wave from air on a PEC screen; for Question 10.30.

QUESTION 10.30 Obliquely incident wave with a normal-parallel po-

larization. A uniform plane time-harmonic electromagnetic wave of frequency f
and rms electric field intensity Ei0 propagates in air and is incident obliquely, at
an angle θi (0 < θi < 90◦ ), on a PEC screen, as shown in Fig.Q10.3. The electric
field vector of the wave (Ei ) makes an angle α (0 < α < 90◦ ) with the plane of
incidence. The incident wave can be represented as a superposition of two uniform
plane waves with normal (n) and parallel (p) polarizations, whose rms electric field
intensities are given by
(n) (p)
(A) Ei0 = Ei0 cos θi and Ei0 = Ei0 sin θi ,
(n) (p)
(B) Ei0 = Ei0 sin θi and Ei0 = Ei0 cos θi ,
(n) (p)
(C) Ei0 = Ei0 cos α and Ei0 = Ei0 sin α,
(n) (p)
(D) Ei0 = Ei0 sin α and Ei0 = Ei0 cos α,
(n) (p)
(E) Ei0 = Ei0 cos α and Ei0 = Ei0 ,
(n) (p)
(F) Ei0 = Ei0 and Ei0 = Ei0 sin α,
Q10. Conceptual Questions: Reflection and Transmission of Waves 109

respectively.

QUESTION 10.31 Resultant wave with a combined polarization. Con-

sider the incident wave with a combined normal-parallel polarization described in
the previous question. The total electric field vector in the incident region can be
obtained by adding together the corresponding total-field expression for the nor-
mally polarized incident wave, with complex rms electric field intensity E i0 in the
(n)
expression substituted by Ei0 (from the previous question), and that for the parallel
(p)
polarization case, with Ei0 in place of E i0 .
(A) True.
(B) False.

QUESTION 10.32 Normal incidence, normal and parallel polarizations.

The classification of incident waves into those with normal and parallel polarizations,
respectively, does apply to normally incident waves as well.
(A) True.
(B) False.

1 2
nr
nt

qr y qt z
qi O

ni

e1, m1 e2, m2

Figure Q10.4 Oblique incidence of a uniform plane time-harmonic electromagnetic

wave on a penetrable interface; for Question 10.33.

QUESTION 10.33 Oblique incidence on a dielectric-dielectric interface.

A uniform plane time-harmonic electromagnetic wave is incident obliquely at an
angle θi (0 < θi < 90◦ ) on a planar boundary between two dielectric media, as
depicted in Fig.Q10.4. Consider the reflected angle, θr , and transmitted (refracted)
angle, θt , for this case. Which of them depends on the material parameters of the
two media?
(A) θr only.
110 Branislav M. Notaroš: Electromagnetics (Pearson Prentice Hall)

(B) θt only.
(C) Both angles.
(D) None of the angles.

QUESTION 10.34 Phase velocities along a material interface. A uniform

plane wave propagates in a lossless medium of parameters ε1 and µ1 , and is incident
at an angle θi (0 < θi < 90◦ ) on the interface of another lossless medium, with
parameters ε2 and µ2 (Fig.Q10.4), where ε1 6= ε2 and µ1 = µ2 . The ratio of phase
velocities of the reflected and transmitted (refracted) waves as measured along the
line representing the intersection of the plane of incidence and the material interface
(x-axis in Fig.Q10.4) equals
p
(A) ε1 /ε2 .
p
(B) ε2 /ε1 .
(C) unity.
(D) zero.
(E) infinity.
(F) None of the above.

QUESTION 10.35 Fresnel’s coefficients for parallel polarization. A uni-

form plane time-harmonic wave is incident obliquely from air on a flat surface of
a lossless nonmagnetic dielectric, and the polarization of the wave is parallel. The
incident angle is θi and the index of refraction of the dielectric is n. The associated
reflection and transmission coefficients, Γp and τp , can be expressed in terms of
(A) sin θi only.
(B) n only.
(C) sin θi and n only.
(D) θi , n, and one or more other quantities.
(E) None of the above.

QUESTION 10.36 Apparent shape of an oar immersed in water. An oar

immersed in the water appears to be broken at the water surface when viewed from
a boat. The submerged part of the oar looks as if it is shorter than it actually is.
This phenomenon can be explained using Snell’s law of
(A) reflection for a light beam bouncing off the water surface.
(B) refraction for a light beam incident from air into the water.
(C) refraction for a light beam incident from the water into air.
(D) None of the above.
Q10. Conceptual Questions: Reflection and Transmission of Waves 111

QUESTION 10.37 Why a submerged oar cannot be seen from a distant

boat? The immersed part of the oar from the previous question cannot be seen
from another, distant, boat because of
(A) the total reflection of light beams incident from air onto the water surface.
(B) the total reflection of light beams incident from the water onto its surface.
(C) the zero reflection of light beams incident from air onto the water surface.
(D) the zero reflection of light beams incident from the water onto its surface.
(E) None of the above.

QUESTION 10.38 Reflection of an EP wave incident at Brewster angle.

An elliptically polarized uniform plane electromagnetic wave in air is incident on a
dielectric surface at the Brewster angle. The reflected wave is
(A) linearly polarized.
(B) circularly polarized.
(C) elliptically polarized.
(D) unpolarized.
(E) Need more information.

QUESTION 10.39 Transmission of a CP wave incident at Brewster an-

gle. A circularly polarized uniform plane wave is incident from air on a dielectric
half-space at the Brewster angle. The transmitted wave is
(A) linearly polarized.
(B) circularly polarized.
(C) elliptically polarized.
(D) unpolarized.
(E) Need more information.

QUESTION 10.40 Quarter-wave matching plate. A dielectric slab (plate)

inserted between two media with different intrinsic impedances is designed to pro-
vide quarter-wave matching (the slab thickness equals a quarter of the wave wave-
length) at a given frequency, yielding zero reflection in the incident region. Which
of the following changes would not affect the matching properties of the slab?
(A) The slab thickness doubled.
(B) The wave frequency doubled.
(C) Both the thickness and the frequency doubled.
(D) The thickness doubled and the frequency halved.
(E) Both the thickness and the frequency halved.
(F) More than one of the above changes, (A)-(E).