Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-b-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2014/paper-1/section-b/b8/solution

The macroscopic Maxwell equations, with free charge and current, are
Inside this body and . The wave magnetic field lies along ; its sign follows the local wave component. Faraday's and Ampère's laws give
Static background fields are excluded from this wave solution. The magnetic force density is along , with . For a steady periodic state, . Therefore
The result gives radiation-force density without Ohm's law. Integrating through the body gives its pressure as the boundary value of the averaged electromagnetic energy density minus its value deep inside. In both limiting cases below the latter is zero. Take as the incident electric field's peak amplitude and write .

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