The total momentum of incident and reflected radiation can be expressed by which formula?

The total momentum of incident and reflected radiation can indeed be represented by the formula M = 2E/C. Here's a breakdown of why this is the correct expression:

When electromagnetic radiation, such as light, strikes a surface and is reflected, it carries momentum. The momentum (p) of radiation is related to its energy (E) and the speed of light (C) through the fundamental relationship p = E/C.

When the radiation is incident on a surface, it has a certain momentum given by E/C. Upon reflection, due to the change in direction, the momentum changes. The reflection causes the momentum to effectively reverse, leading to an additional contribution to the total momentum.

Thus, for both the incident and reflected radiation, the total momentum calculation is as follows: the incident momentum contributes E/C, while the reflected momentum contributes an additional E/C, doubling the total. Therefore, the total momentum M of both the incoming and outgoing radiation combines to give:

M = (momentum of incident radiation) + (momentum of reflected radiation) = E/C + E/C = 2E/C.

This reasoning solidifies why the expression M = 2E/C accurately represents the total momentum of the incident and reflected radiation.