Why don't light waves move magnets?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interaction between light waves and magnets, specifically why light does not cause magnets to move or vibrate. It concludes that the high frequency of light waves results in atomic electron transitions rather than macroscopic movement of magnets. The participants note that hand-sized magnets are too massive to respond to the frequencies of light waves. Additionally, it is suggested that while electromagnetic waves can be generated with sufficient magnitude, the practical application remains limited due to the size and mass of typical magnets.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic waves and their properties
  • Knowledge of atomic structure and electron behavior
  • Familiarity with the concept of atomic dipoles
  • Basic principles of light-matter interaction
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of electromagnetic waves in different frequency ranges
  • Explore atomic transitions and their relation to light absorption
  • Investigate the effects of infrared radiation on molecular vibrations
  • Examine the limitations of magnet size in response to electromagnetic fields
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism or light-matter interactions will benefit from this discussion.

DrBootenstein
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We know that light travels through the vacuum of space because it is a self perpetuating system of electronic and magnetic waves.

Since this is the case, why do we not see the magnetic wave of light move magnets, or even make a magnet vibrate?

Is it simply because the magnitude of the magnetic wave does not exert enough force to move magnets?

If so can we not create an E&M wave with a large enough magnitude to move magnets?
OR can we create a magnet small enough to be moved by a magnetic wave?

Any insight into this topic would be helpful

Thanks
 
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DrBootenstein said:
Since this is the case, why do we not see the magnetic wave of light move magnets, or even make a magnet vibrate?

Hand-sized magnets are much too massive to move macroscopically as such frequencies.

DrBootenstein said:
can we create a magnet small enough to be moved by a magnetic wave?

Light waves have such high frequencies that the atoms don't vibrate to it, their electrons will jump atomic levels instead.

In the IR range, you can have molecules that will change their vibrational state to incoming radiation.

Generally speaking, you should probably consider the oscillating electric field first, which interacts with any atomic dipoles (i.e. all matter, not just magnets).
 

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