My space capsule floats at a distance of R=1.8 times 10^11 m from the sun. I hav

Question

My space capsule floats at a distance of R=1.8 times 10^11 m from the sun. I have a solar panel that is 5 m by 10 m. The sun releases energy as light with a power of 3.845 times 10^26 W. What is the intensity of the sunlight at 1.8 times 10^11 m from the sun? What is the amplitude of the electric field of this light? What is the amplitude of the magnetic field of this light? If my 10 m by 5 m solar panel absorbs all light that hits it and is perfectly efficient, how much power does it supply me? What is the radiation pressure of the sunlight at my location? What force will the radiation pressure apply to my solar panel? What would be the force if it were a mirror rather than a solar panel? My porthole has a window that is a polarizing filter and I am wearing polarizing sunglasses, when I tilt my head 20 degree it creates a situation as pictured. In terms of intensity of the unpolarized light, I_0, what are I_A and I_B?

Explanation / Answer

Here,

power , P = 3.845 *10^26 W

a) distance , d = 1.8 *10^11 m

Intensity of the sunlight = P/(4pi * d^2)

Intensity of the sunlight = 3.845 *10^26/(4pi * (1.8 *10^11)^2)

Intensity of the sunlight = 944.37 W/m^2

b)

let the amplitude of the electric field is E

Intensity = 0.5 * Em^2/(c * u0)

944.37= 0.5 * Em^2/(3 *10^8 * 4pi *10^-7)

solving for Em

Em = 843.8 N/C

the amplitude of the electric field is 843.8 N/C

c)

amplitude of magnetic field = Em/c

amplitude of magnetic field = 843.8/(3 *10^8)

amplitude of magnetic field = 2.813 *10^-6 T

d)

Power absorbed = Intensity * area

Power absorbed = 944.37 * 10 * 5

Power absorbed = 47218 W

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