Suppose a free electron is positioned in the path of a plane electromagnetic wave. The electron will initially begin to move

Step-by-step solution

The force experienced by a charged particle in an electromagnetic field is given by the Lorentz force equation: F = q( E + v B ) For a free electron initially at rest, its velocity v = 0 . Substituting v = 0 into the equation, we get: F = q E Since the initial magnetic force is zero, the only force acting on the electron is due to the electric field. Therefore, the electron will initially begin to move along the line of the electric field.