Question

State two properties of electromagnetic waves. How can we show that em waves carry momentum?

Answer 1

Properties of electromagnetic waves :

1. Transverse nature
2. Does not get deflected by electric fields or magnetic fields.
3. Same speed in vacuum for all waves.
4. No material medium is required for propagation.
5. They get refracted, diffracted and polarised.

Electric charges present on a plane, kept normal to the direction of propagation of an em waves can be set and energy and momentum from the waves.