4 ms·
That is explained in the second paragraph of the article: In the literature, there has existed two different values for the momentum of light in the transparen
by metafunctor 9y ago
That is explained in the second paragraph of the article:
In the literature, there has existed two different values for the momentum of light in the transparent medium. Typically, these values differ by a factor of ten and this discrepancy is known as the momentum paradox of light.
- lisper 9y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham–Minkowski_controversy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham–Minkowski_controversy if you want the gory details. However, IMO none of these explanations are particularly satisfying because none of them (AFAICT) explain where these two different formulations come from. They all leave you with the impression that two physicists just pulled two different equations out of their ass and now they're arguing over which one is right as if it were some sort of theological discussion. (This is a common problem in physics pedagogy.) I would really love to hear from a physicist who understands and can explain the basis for the two different formulations.