- #1
Luk
Homework Statement
Consider a wave vector which hits a plain boundary between water and air. The wave vector hits the boundary with an angle α1 measured from the vertical axis. The magnetic field amplitude has a y-component only. Also, notice: The z-axis is the horizontal axis, the x-axis is the vertical axis and the y-axis is the axis that goes into the paper. The question is, in what direction does the electrical field amplitude point?
The wave vector has components $$ \vec{k} = \begin{array}{c}\sin(\alpha_1)\\0\\-\cos(\alpha_1)\end{array} $$
Homework Equations
Well I know that the magnetic and the electrical field are both perpendicular to each other and to the wave vector. I also know that $$\vec{H} = 1/\eta * \vec{e_k} \times \vec{E} $$
The Attempt at a Solution
I was thinking that, maybe, this equation holds: $$ \vec{E} = \eta * \vec{e_k} \times \vec{H} $$
But I'm not sure about the correct order within the cross product. So it could also be this: $$ \vec{E} = \eta * \vec{H} \times \vec{e_k} $$
I simply don't know.