How does an EM wave impart momentum to some material?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
Sign up Log in
1 reply · 1K views
ppppparker
Messages
18
Reaction score
4
Book says one of the properties of EM waves is they can impart momentum (and angular momentum)... What would be an example of this? (a simple example in terms of first year physics i mean)
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Similar threads

Undergrad Mechanism of Energy Conservation in Zero-Amplitude Sum of EM Waveforms
  • Surya97
  • · Replies 21 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
21
Undergrad How can magnetic fields contain energy?
  • LarryS
  • · Replies 17 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
17
Undergrad Transmission Line EM Wave vs EM Wave in Free Space
  • LarryS
  • · Replies 18 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
18
Undergrad Do electromagnetic fields have momentum?
  • cianfa72
  • · Replies 15 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
15
Undergrad EM wave reflected or transmitted?
  • asada
  • · Replies 8 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
8
Graduate Frequency of EM waves produced by linearly accelerating charges
  • cg0303
  • · Replies 20 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
20
Graduate EM waves, longitudinal EM propagation?
  • artis
  • · Replies 15 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
15
Undergrad How does the magnetic component of an EM wave affect surroundings?
  • Boltzman Oscillation
  • · Replies 8 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
8
Undergrad How Do Time-Varying Currents in Conductors Generate EM Fields and Waves?
  • crocodile_
  • · Replies 3 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
3
Undergrad EM waves have no mass but they do have momentum?
  • BranRubaba
  • · Replies 21 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
21