How are electric vector (\[\overrightarrow E \]), magnetic vector ($\overrightarrow B $) velocity vector ($\overrightarrow c $) oriented in an electromagnetic wave?

Hint Electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature. Oscillations of the electric vector and magnetic vectors are perpendicular to the direction of the wave or path of propagation.

Complete step-by-step solution


For a transverse wave like electromagnetic waves the electric vector and magnetic vector are always perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Since electromagnetic waves propagate with speed of light, both electric vector and magnetic vector oscillates perpendicular to the velocity vector.
The direction of propagation of electromagnetic waves is the direction of $\overrightarrow {E \times B} $. If an electromagnetic wave is travelling in the positive x-axis then the direction of the electric vector is along the y-axis and the magnetic vector is along the z-axis direction.

Note Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space. Electromagnetic waves can be produced by oscillating charges or by transition of electrons from different energy levels of the atom.
Examples of electromagnetic waves are: Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet rays, x-rays, gamma rays and visible light.