The direction of polarization of an electromagnetic wave is taken by convention to be
A) the electric field direction.
B) the magnetic field direction.
C) the direction of E × B.
D) perpendicular to the electric field direction.
E) None of these choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By convention, the direction of polarization of an electromagnetic wave is taken to be the direction of the electric field. This is because the electric field is responsible for interacting with charged particles and causing them to oscillate, which generates the wave.

The Direction of Polarization of an Electromagnetic Wave Is Taken