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QPages 338-339: Q9: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Electromagnetic Waves Pages 338-339: Q9 Solution: A plane electromagnetic wave is incident on a material surface. …

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students frequently assume a massless electromagnetic wave carries no momentum, equating zero rest mass with zero momentum. Remember that an EM wave has momentum $p=E/c$ (or $p=\hbar k$ for photons), so both $p$ and $E$ are non‑zero whenever the wave exists.

A plane electromagnetic wave is incident on a material surface. The wave delivers momentum pp and energy EE.

Multiple Choice Options

  • A p=0,E≠0p = 0, E \neq 0
  • B p≠0,E=0p \neq 0, E = 0
  • C p≠0,E≠0p \neq 0, E \neq 0
  • D p=0,E=0p = 0, E = 0

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** (c) p � 0, E � 0. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** An electromagnetic wave carries both momentum and energy.

All Questions in this Chapter

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