Light intensity: Momentum of photons, mirrors, and velocity
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The intensity of light with a mean wavelength of 854 nm falling on a solar sail is 140 watts/m^2. The sail is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the incoming light, in order to intercept as much light as possible.
- What is the total momentum of the photons falling on 52000 m^2 of the sail every second?
- If the sail is a perfect mirror, reflecting the photons without any absorption or change in their momentum, then what average force is exerted on the sail?
- How long would it take to accelerate a 1440 kg craft (mass includes that of the sail) from rest to velocity .1 c using such a sail?
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This solution answers a number of problems of relativistic mechanics related to light intensity.
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The intensity of light with a mean wavelength of 854 nm falling on a solar sail is 140 watts/m^2. The sail is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the incoming light, in order to intercept as much light as possible.
i) What is the total momentum of the photons falling on 52000 m^2 of the sail every second?
ii) If the sail is a perfect mirror, reflecting the photons without any absorption or change in their momentum, then what average force is exerted on the sail?
iii) How long would it take to accelerate a 1440 kg craft (mass includes that of the sail) from rest to ...
Purchase this Solution
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