Past exam of the physics 2 paper of the University of Oxford / 2021 resit / 5 / b / Solution

For a sinusoidal plane electromagnetic wave in vacuum, write the maximum electric field as $E_0$. The magnetic field maximum is $B_0=E_0/c$, so the cycle-averaged Poynting vector magnitude, or light intensity, isEach photon carries energy $hf$, where $h$ is the Planck constant. Therefore the photon number flux density, namely the number per unit normal area per unit time, isMultiplying by an illuminated normal area gives the photon arrival rate. Each absorbed photon transfers momentum $hf/c$ at normal incidence, giving the radiation pressure on a perfectly absorbing surfaceThese are time-averaged quantities. At oblique angle of incidence $\theta$, the normal radiation pressure is $I{\cos }^2\theta /c$; the simple displayed expression assumes normal incidence.