Understanding Electromagnetic Waves & Momentum

AI Thread Summary
Electromagnetic waves carry momentum, which can be understood through their interactions with surfaces. When light reflects off a perfect reflector, it retains its initial momentum, resulting in a total momentum that is double its initial value. In contrast, light that is absorbed loses all its momentum, leading to a change equal to its initial momentum. The concept of mass in this context is not straightforward; it is often related to the intensity of the wave rather than a physical mass. For further clarification, reviewing resources like the Wikipedia page on radiation pressure can provide additional insights.
polaris90
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I have trouble understanding the concept of electromagnetic waves.
my textbook has the following explanation for electromagnetic momentum. It's not very clear to me.
[ light reflecting from a perfect reflector will leave the surface with its initial momentum, thus having twice its initial momentum.
Light being totally absorbed will have no momentum after absorption thus changing its momentum by its initial momentum.]
Since momentum is the product and mass of an object. How is this compared to electromagnetic momentum, what would be the mass in this case? My guess is the intensity of the wave. They also refer to it as just the electromagnetic radiation. Is their any difference?

Thanks in advance
 
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polaris90, Looks to me like each point you make and ask about are covered in a few short paragraphs on the wiki page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_pressure

Look down until you see the heading called "Quantum Theory Argument"

After reading and studying that if you have more doubts or questions, do come right back here and post them!

Cheers,
Bobbywhy
 
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