EXAMPLE 31-8 ESTIMATE A solar sail. Proposals have been made to use the radiation pressure from the Sun to help propel spacecraft around the solar system. (a) About how much force would be applied on a 1 km × 1 km highly reflective sail, and (b) by how much would this increase the speed of a 5000-kg spacecraft in one year? (c) If the spacecraft started from rest, about how far would it travel in a year?

EXAMPLE 31-8 ESTIMATE A solar sail. Proposals have been made to use the radiation pressure from the Sun to help propel spacecraft around the solar system. (a) About how much force would be applied on a 1 km × 1 km highly reflective sail, and (b) by how much would this increase the speed of a 5000-kg spacecraft in one year? (c) If the spacecraft started from rest, about how far would it travel in a year?

University Physics Volume 2

18th Edition

ISBN:9781938168161

Author:OpenStax

Publisher:OpenStax

Chapter16: Electromagnetic Waves

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 101AP: If a Lightsail spacecraft were sent on a Mars mission, by si1at ratio of the final force to the...

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