This simplified model can explain qualitatively the pressure of a E-M wave on a conductive plate.[br][br]The electric field [b][i]E[/i][/b] induces on the electrons the drift velocity [i][b]v[sub]d[/sub][/b][/i] (opposite to [i][b]E[/b][/i])[br]The magnetic field [i][b]B[/b][/i] and [i][b]v[sub]d[/sub][/b][/i] will produce the Lorentz force [i][b]F[/b][/i][sub]L[/sub]=− [i]e[/i] [i][b]v[sub]d[/sub][/b][/i] ⊗ [i][b]B[/b][/i][br]and since [i][b]B[/b][/i] and [i][b]v[sub]d[/sub][/b][/i] oscillate synchronously, [i][b]F[/b][/i][sub]L[/sub] will always be directed in the positive direction of the z-axis.[br][br]For example, the pressure of the the sun's radiation on an absorbing conductive plate positioned nearby the earth (facing the sun) would be about 4.5 μPa . Not much but it's there... [br][br]References:[br]Halliday-Resnick-Krane, [i]Physics[/i], 5th ed. vol.2 p. 872[br][br]T. Rothman, S. Boughn: The Lorentz Force and the Radiation Pressure of Light[br][url=https://t.co/Bh87AOHFSr?amp=1]https://arxiv.org/abs/0807.1310[/url][br][br]C. Mungan: [url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241592492_Repairing_an_elementary_explanation_of_radiation_pressure][i]Repairing an elementary explanation of radiation pressure[/i][/url][i][br][/i][br]T. Rothman, S. Boughn: [url=https://scholarship.haverford.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1065&context=astronomy_facpubs]Reply to "Repairing an Elementary Explanation of Radiation Pressure"[/url][br]