- #1
Phyzwizz
- 60
- 0
The equation for the change in momentum for total absorption of electromagnetic radiation is ΔU/c and that for total reflection is (2ΔU)/c. How could the momentum of electromagnetic radiation change if it is massless and travels at a constant speed c? Is the ΔU just a representation of a change in the frequency of the radiation? Also my book does a poor job in explaining the reason that the change in momentum is double for total reflection (perhaps this will become more clear with an explanation of the previous questions).Δ