Practicing Success
A radiation of energy E falls normally on a perfectly reflecting surface. The momentum transferred to the surface is |
$\frac{E}{c}$ $\frac{2E}{c}$ Ec $\frac{E}{c^2}$ |
$\frac{2E}{c}$ |
Initial momentum of surface $P_i=\frac{E}{C}$ Where, c = velocity of light (constant). Since, the surface is perfectly, reflecting, so the same momentum will be reflected completely. $P_f=\frac{E}{C}$ (negative value) ∴ Change in momentum $Δp = p_f - p_i $ $ = - \frac{E}{c} - \frac{E}{c} = - \frac{2E}{c}$ Thus , momentum transferred to the surface is $Δp' = |Δp| =\frac{2E}{c}$ |