The Bipolar Linear Momentum transported by the Electromagnetic Waves

Fran de Aquino (1)

1 INPE - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais

Besides energy, the electromagnetic waves transport linear momentum. Then, if this momentum is absorbed by a surface, pressure is exerted on the surface. This is the so-called Radiation Pressure. Here we show that this pressure has a negative component (opposite to the direction of propagation of the radiation) due to the existence of the negative linear momentum transported by the electromagnetic waves. This fact leads to an important theoretical discovery: the velocity of the electromagnetic waves in free space is not a constant.

Mots clés: Gravity; Gravitation; Electromagnetic Waves; Radiation Pressure

Domaines: Physique Générale [physics.gen-ph]

Fran de Aquino. The Bipolar Linear Momentum transported by the Electromagnetic Waves. 2014. ⟨hal-01077208v1⟩