Question
Physics Question on Electromagnetic waves
A light beam of intensity 20W/cm2 is incident normally on a perfectly reflecting surface of sides 25cm×15cm. The momentum imparted to the surface by the light per second is
A
2×10−5kgms−1
B
1×10−5kgms−1
C
5×10−5kgms−1
D
1.2×10−5kgms−1
Answer
5×10−5kgms−1
Explanation
Solution
Intensity I=E/A
where E is energy of radiation and A is incident area
⇒E=IA
Momentum of radiation is given by
P=2E/c=2IA/c
Where c is speed of light.
P=3×108m/s2×20×104m2W×375×10−4m2
=5×10−5kgms−1