OPT-004 · Introduction to optics and electromagnetic waves Sample material

Energy of EM waves. Light pressure

Energy of an electromagnetic wave and the Umov–Poynting vector, intensity, light pressure and electromagnetic momentum, propagation in dielectrics and the complex refractive index, superposition of waves and standing electromagnetic waves.

Estimated time: 2 h 10 min 3 activities

Learning objective

Master the concepts of EM wave energy density, the Umov–Poynting vector and intensity.
Learn to calculate light pressure and electromagnetic momentum.
Describe wave propagation in an absorbing medium using the complex refractive index.
Understand superposition, the conditions for maxima and minima and the structure of standing waves.

Expected outcomes

Can calculate intensity from the field amplitude and vice versa.
Calculates light pressure and force for various surfaces.
Finds the attenuation of intensity from the absorption index.
Determines the positions of nodes and antinodes of a standing wave and explains the meaning of Wiener's experiment.

Interactive modelWave

Activities

Lecture
Lecture · 55 min · required
Problem solving on the topic “Energy of EM waves. Light pressure”
Practice · 55 min · required
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • Problem solving on the topic “Energy of EM waves. Light pressure”
  • Final test — at least 70%