Resonance Propulsion: Using EM Waves to Induce Movement

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Human268
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Here's a weird idea: solid materials each have an inherent, but potentially modifiable mechanical resonance frequency. Step 1- energize the material mechanically by inducing vibration (ie. increasing the amplitude of occillations). Step 2- strike the material intermittently with an intense and pulsed electromagnetic waves (EM frequencies corresponding to bond energies within the material so that it can induce mechanical movement), pulsed "in phase" at the mechanical resonance frequency of the material inducing propulsion.

Any thoughts?
 
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Human268 said:
Here's a weird idea: solid materials each have an inherent, but potentially modifiable mechanical resonance frequency. Step 1- energize the material mechanically by inducing vibration (ie. increasing the amplitude of occillations). Step 2- strike the material intermittently with an intense and pulsed electromagnetic waves (EM frequencies corresponding to bond energies within the material so that it can induce mechanical movement), pulsed "in phase" at the mechanical resonance frequency of the material inducing propulsion.

Any thoughts?

and how do you think any sort of propulsion is achieved ?
consider what is occurring in an oscillationDave
 
theoretically you would pulse the EM wave to be "in phase" with the oscillations, striking the molecular bonds at the moment during the oscillation when the material is moving away from the EM wave. This, in theory, would move the entire oscillating material forward.
 
I don't see any reason to think this would work any differently than the force exerted by radiation pressure.
 
you're probably right. But I wonder if there is a way to use mechanical resonance of materials to induce propulsion.
 
You have to emit something to get propulsion (or change the velocity of something coming from the outside). This is just conservation of momentum. So what do you want to emit?