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A radiation of energy E falls normally on a perfectly reflecting surface. The momentum transferred to the surface is

Asked in JEE Main 2004 · Momentum delivered: absorbed or reflected

Answer: (2) (2E)/c

Step-by-step solution

The incoming radiation carries momentum pᵢ = E/c towards the surface

A perfect reflector sends it back with pᵣ = - E/c, so the change in the radiation's momentum is 2E/c

B_y momentum conservation the surface receives 2E/c (an absorber would receive only E/c)

Why the other options are wrong

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