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Do electromagnetic waves carry energy and momentum?

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Yes they do. The total energy according to the theory of relativity is given by. E^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2, you can curse Einstein for this relation. as em waves have no mass (m =0), there energy is just 'pc'. that is, momemtum times speed of light. Hence their momentum is given by. p = E/c. and for frequency 'f', it is. p = hf/c. read more

Answer is yes the electromagnetic waves are electrically charges particles under acceleration magnetic field and electric field are developed. This sets it motion and momentum and energy is provided by the magnetic and electric field. read more

In detail, according to the concept of wave-particle duality (mathematically this is justified by Fourier transformation), a wave should have momentum and energy which are the main properties of a particle, so that it can interact with particle like that in Compton scattering. read more

Electromagnetic waves like any other wave carry energy as they travel through empty space. If light didn't carry energy, it wouldn't be able to heat stuff up or generate photo current in photo cells. -----As we know that em waves have mutually perpendicular oscillating electric and magnetic fields. read more

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