In this example we will investigate the viability of using radiation pressure to

Question

In this example we will investigate the viability of using radiation pressure to propel a spacecraft. Suppose a spacecraft with a mass of 2.50 times 10^4 kg ha s solar sail made of perfectly reflection aluminized film with an area of 2.59 times 10^6 m^2 (about 1 square mile). If the spacecraft is launched into earth orbit and then deploys its sail at right angles to the sunlight, what is the acceleration due to sunlight? (At the earth's distance from the sun, the pressure exerted by sunlight on an absorbing surface is 4.70 time 10^-6 Pa. The radiation pressure p is the magnitude of force per unit area, so we start by finding the magnitude F of force exerted on the sail: F = pA = (9.40 times 10^-6 N/m^2)(2.59 times 10^6 m^2) = 24.3 N We now fin the magnitude alpha of the spacecrafts acceleration due to the radiation pressure. alpha = F/m = (24.3 N)/(2.50 times 10^4kg) = 9.72 times 10^-4 m/s^2 For this spacecraft, a square mile of sail provides an acceleration of only about 10^-4 g, small compared with the accelerations provided by chemical rockets. However, rockets burn out; sunlight keeps pushing. Even on its first day, the craft travels more than 3000 km in the radial direction, and on day 12 its radial speed exceeds 1 km/s. A communications satellite has solar-energy-collection panels with a total area of 5.6 m^2. What is the average magnitude of total force on these panels associated with radiation pressure, if the radiation is completely absorbed? Express your answer to two significant figures and include appropriate units.

Explanation / Answer

given radiation pressure, p = 4.7*10^-6 pa

Area, A = 5.6 m^2

we know, P = F/A

==> F = P*A

= 4.7*10^-6*5.6

= 2.632*10^-5 N <<<<<<<-----------Answer

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