Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / ib / Paper 4 / 7D / b / ii / Solution

For the oscillatory magnetic field, Faraday's law gives $\mathbf{B}=(1/\omega )\mathbf{k}\times \mathbf{E}$. Indeed its time derivative equals $-\nabla \times \mathbf{E}$, and the dispersion relation makes it satisfy the remaining Maxwell equations. ThusFor $\omega =ck$, its amplitude is $E_0/c$. The magnetic field, electric field and direction of propagation are mutually perpendicular. A constant background magnetic field could be added; the expression above is the wave-associated field.