subject
Physics, 11.03.2020 04:35 allytrujillo20oy0dib

A solar sail allows a spacecraft to use radiation pressure for propulsion, similar to the way wind propels a sailboat. The sails of such spacecraft are made out of enormous reflecting panels. The area of the panels is maximized to catch the largest number of incident photons, thus maximizing the momentum transfer from the incident radiation.
If such a spacecraft were to be simply pushed away from a star by the incident photons, the force of the radiation pressure would have to be be greater than the gravitational attraction from the star emitting the photons. The critical parameter is the area density(mass per unit area) of the sail.

Part A

Consider a perfectly reflecting mirror oriented so that solar radiation of intensity I is incident upon, and perpendicular to, the reflective surface of the mirror. If the mirror has surface area A, what is Frad, the magnitude of the average force due to the radiation pressure of the sunlight on the mirror?

Express your answer in terms of the intensity I, the mirror's surface area A, and the speed of light c.

Frad =

To solve the second part of this problem you will need to know the following: the mass of the sun, Msun=2.0×1030kg, the intensity of sunlight as a function of the distance, R, from the sun, Isun(R)=3.2×1025WR2, and the gravitational constant G=6.67×10−11m3/(kg⋅s2).

Part B

Suppose that the mirror described in Part A is initially at rest a distance R away from the sun. What is the critical value of area density for the mirror at which the radiation pressure exactly cancels out the gravitational attraction from the sun?

Express your answer numerically, to two significant figures, in units of kilograms per meter squared.

ansver
Answers: 2

Other questions on the subject: Physics

image
Physics, 21.06.2019 16:10, niescarlosj
For a particular reaction, ? h = -144.6 kj and ? s = -301.2 j/k. calculate ? g for this reaction at 298 k.
Answers: 1
image
Physics, 22.06.2019 10:00, mathscience9301
Which fact supports the conclusion that there will be fewer farm managers in the future? a) a farmer manager’s duties vary by the type of farm. b) farm technology is replacing some administrative jobs c) farm managers often need experience but not education. d) administrative duties include budgeting and training staff.
Answers: 2
image
Physics, 22.06.2019 13:00, mmczora22
The substances that are necessary for producing of certain hormones and that store and transport vitamins
Answers: 1
image
Physics, 23.06.2019 20:30, myahprovenzano
Cobwebs are popular decorations at halloween time, but an experiment in which spiders were given psychoactive substances showed that it really affects their web spinning skills! the web below was spun under the influence of what?
Answers: 2
You know the right answer?
A solar sail allows a spacecraft to use radiation pressure for propulsion, similar to the way wind p...

Questions in other subjects:

Konu
History, 02.07.2019 01:00