Propagating electromagnetic waves transport __________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → both energy and momentum
An electromagnetic wave consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, and these fields store energy. As the wave travels it carries energy (sunlight warms the Earth) and also carries momentum: a wave delivering energy U to a surface transfers momentum \( p = U/c \), which shows up as radiation pressure.
The wave carries no charge: it is made of fields, not of charged particles, and photons are electrically neutral.
Note: This question is from the pre-rationalised NCERT book (2022-23). The topic was removed from the latest NCERT book (2026-27), and it also appears to be out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.
NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Summary – “… 6. Electromagnetic waves carry energy as they travel through space and this energy is shared equally by the electric and magnetic fields. Electromagnetic waves transport momentum as well.”